CONTROVERSIAL plans for a wind turbine at Hardenhuish School in Chippenham were given the go-ahead despite concerns from residents living nearby.

Planning permission for the 9m installation, costing £65,000, was granted by North Wiltshire District Council's Development Control Committee on Wednesday night.

Tom Goodsir a sixth form student at Hardenhuish addressed councillors at the meeting explaining why he felt the turbine was such a good idea.

He said the turbine would benefit generations to come, including relatives of the planning committee's members, and although the turbine was not an ultimate solution for environmental problems, it was a start.

"It will prove to the wider community that change is possible and that development will change our lives for the better," he said.

The wind turbine project has come under fire from residents who claim it would be an eyesore and cause excess noise.

They also feared it would attract vandals, affect their TV reception and have an impact on local birds and bats.

Twelve people wrote letters to the council to object.

Neighbour Avril Henderson, 55, said: "I am not against anyone going green but this turbine will be right in view of my house and the panels will reflect light my way.

"This is something I believe will create both visual and sound pollution and I am not happy about it."

Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: "The turbine will be a complete eyesore for everyone living around here."

At the meeting Hardenhuish's deputy headteacher Jan Hatherell said the school had taken all of these views into consideration.

She said: "We have decided to move it down the hill a little bit to make it better for them.

"We would like the turbine's pole to be grey and the blades black."

The school has stated the sound the turbine will make will be 60 decibels, which is just above conversation level.

The plans will also include the installation of 60 solar panels on the roof of the science block.

The turbine and solar panels are part of a larger green project being undertaken by the school to reduce its carbon footprint.

The wind turbine and solar panels will produce sustainable energy that will contribute to the school's electricity needs.

Staff want pupils to see first hand the possibilities of making a positive impact on climate change.