Campaigners are calling for a cut in council tax for homes blighted by wind farms in Mid Wales. They claim new plans will devalue their homes.They say plans to build hundreds of turbines across Powys – many approaching the height of Blackpool Tower – will wipe thousands of pounds off the value of nearby homes.

They now want to see reduced council tax bills for all homes within three miles of any windfarm.

Stephen McKeown, who runs a bed and breakfast, horse rehabilitation and corporate team-building business, near Dolfor, Newtown, said many of the people concerned were already members of CURB – Conservation of Upland Radnorshire and Brecon – and CUM – Cadwriaeth Ucheldir Maldwyn or Conservation of Upland Montgomeryshire.

“The group is petitioning Powys County Council for at least large reductions in their council tax charge and are prepared to legally challenge the council for compensation,” he said.

“Valuers in Mid Wales predicted as early as 2004 that there will be at least a 25 per cent reduction in the value of house prices in Mid Wales.

‘The average in fact is around 34 per cent and as high as 50 per cent.

“Worse than that, the Government is pushing through legislation which comes into force next year which will in one sweep deny residents the right to petition and possibly any recourse to compensation.”

John Evans, communications manager for Powys County Council, said: “The council has nine planning applications for wind farm developments, three of which will be decided by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regularity Reform because they exceed 50MW output.”