Queenborough town councillors have remained firm in their opposition of plans to create a wind farm in Sheppey, despite a meeting with people behind the scheme.

Councillors met Peel Wind Power’s Richard Dibley on the site on the same day, but at a different time to Sheppey MP Derek Wyatt, who has given his backing to the farm, which would be built on the Lappel Bank between the town and Sheerness.

The company plans to submit a planning application to Swale Council this summer for permission to erect four 125m tall turbines on the strip of land, which is leased by the Peel company for port-related activities.

Cllr Ted Pye said the council had researched as much as possible the risks associated with wind turbines, but it was quite difficult because turbines were still relatively new and many were located off-shore.

He said: “The report we have says wind turbines should be located at least 2km or 1.5 miles away from residential areas. From Queenborough Church in the High Street to the first turbine is just over half a mile away.”

Mr Pye also said while such a farm could generate enough electricity to power 5,500 homes, the electricity would go to the national grid and not exclusively for local properties.