ABOVE: An artist's impression of the proposed turbine put together by protesters

Angry residents fighting plans for a controversial 46m farm wind turbine are demanding a showdown with Swale Council claiming the true impact of the scheme has been glossed over.

Swale planners have recommended approval for the orchard based turbine set to generate electricity at Nichol Farm, Deerton Street, between Faversham and Teynham, run by award-winning organic fruit juice producers John and Nick Moor.

But a decision was deferred for a site meeting following an onslaught of protest.

Campaigners claim just 43 residents out of a possible 158 living within a 1km radius were told of the scheme and were left in the dark by the council about the planning meeting in May when it was recommended for approval.

Campaigner Lynda Taylor said: "Had it not been through sheer determination by the local community who rallied round to let their neighbours know, it would have been passed at that meeting without the opportunity to contest it.â

"Planners were left in no doubt about the strength of opposition when more than 60 people attended the site meeting on Monday."

Campaigners claim Swale is guilty of not carrying out the planning process correctly and there has been a substantial shortfall in the assessments that have been carried out.

They claim area planning officer Graham Thomas has not challenged the statements of the agent acting for the farm and that assessments have been based on computerised models rather than on-site research.

They allege the report is inaccurate and has been poorly researched.

But Mr Thomas said the proposal had strong national, regional and local policy support.

He said:"Although it would not produce a large amount of renewable energy, it would make a contribution towards the council's aim of supporting and encouraging renewable energy.

"The fact that the proposal is in an Area of High Landscape Value should not amount to a reason for refusal, the development would not significantly affect the character of the AHLV, but may reinforce its commercial farming character."

He dismissed fears of significant noise or landscape impact as unfounded.

He added:"I am mindful of the concerns of neighbouring residents, but the concerns raised have been carefully considered.

"In my view it would not cause such impact to result in the refusal of the application."

Mrs Taylor said: "We are calling for a meeting with the council before a decision is made so residents can engage in the active consultation which should have happened before any planning application was formally submitted.

"Itseems preposterous that an installation of this size is not seen by the council to be worthy of a public meeting. Agreeing to this could open the floodgates to landowners wishing to take advantage of the government subsidies.

"But with the next planning meeting taking place on Thursday (June 21 June) time isn't on our side."

Planning committee chairman Cllr Ricky Barnicott, ward member for Teynham and Lynsted, said: "The objectors to this planning application have alleged lots of failings by the applicant and the council.

"Officers are looking into the points made and will report to the planning committee on 21 June.

"Members have undertaken a site visit and heard the views of objectors.

"At this stage no decision has been made on the application and members will decide the course of the application when the facts are before them.

"Whether they feel that more information or clarification is needed to determine the application is for the committee to consider."