Sourth West Wiltshire MP Andrew Murrison has written to Wiltshire Council to describe a proposed wind turbine near Westbury as an act of vandalism.

Clearwood Energy Ltd has submitted a plan to construct a single 86.5m tip height wind turbine and associated infrastructure at Thoulstone Farm in Chapmanslade.

The Conservative MP said: “Onshore wind turbines contribute little to our energy needs whilst threatening sensitive open countryside and consuming subsidies.

“This will degrade the attractiveness of an area popular with local residents and with tourists who are important for the local economy.”

Mr Murrison said the turbine would be nearly as tall as the defining Iron Age monument at Cley Hill and loom over countryside.

Tim Page, a spokesman for Stop Thoulstone Farm Wind Turbine, said: “We have had support from across the political spectrum, it’s gone across party lines. The ex-chairman of Chapmanslade Parish Council has said he’s never known an issue bring so many people together.”

The turbine would be built around 500m from the nearest home.