PLANS for six wind turbines with blades 120 metres long on land near Gillingham have been slammed by the town's civic chiefs.

Councillors at a meeting of Gillingham Town Council's planning committee were unanimous in their refusal of proposals from green energy giant Ecotricity.

The firm, which supplies electricity to blue-chip companies including the Body Shop and The Co-op Bank, has submitted plans for six turbines and a substation on land between West Bourton and Whistley Farm.

Members at North Dorset District Council (NDDC) must now debate the application, following the formal objection of Gillingham Town Council.

Cllr Anne-Marie Meijerink-Parker, not a member of Gillingham Town Council's planning committee, sent a letter to her colleagues with a list of concerns.

"The application for the wind turbines should be withdrawn until such a time when all the relevant information gained from the placement of the meteorological mast can be evaluated. This would mean that the cart is put behind the horse, not in front!" she said.

But planning committee members also voted down a separate application for a 50-metre weather mast to stand near the B3081.

The mast, and turbines, would have a detrimental effect on the landscape and distract motorists, said Cllr Colin Dann.

Cllr Mick Lodge questioned how long the road would have to be closed while the site was under construction.

A lack of provision for cars stopping to read an information board proposed for the site would create an extra danger for motorists, he added.

Disturbance to nearby houses was the concern of Cllr Mrs Beckley, who said the proposed site was on a limestone ridge, which she claimed would exacerbate noise pollution.