PLANNING applications for wind farms hit local house prices, according to a survey of the housing market by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

The survey showed 60 per cent of chartered surveyors with experience of house sales near wind farms reported negative effects on prices, with most saying the biggest impact is at the time of the planning application.

However, there was also evidence that prices begin to recover after the wind farm has been up and running for two years, suggesting the turbines become more accepted as communities grow used to them.

Most surveyors cited the visual impact of the wind farms as the biggest cause for concern.

Although no wind farms exist in the South East at the moment, one is planned by npower renewables for Walland Marsh on the Kent-Sussex border and is awaiting the outcome of a public inquiry.

Trevor Hines, RICS South East director, said: “Our survey shows a clear majority who find that a wind farm nearby suppresses house prices.

“But with 40 per cent finding no negative impact, it is too early to say categorically that wind farms are a serious threat to homeowners.”