A FORMER West Norfolk councillor who claimed he didn t see a wind farm on his doorstep as a threat to me is now lobbying against the 19 turbines proposed for Marshland St James. Councillor Jack Bantoft, who represented Marshland on West Norfolk Council

A FORMER West Norfolk councillor who claimed he didn't see a wind farm on his doorstep "as a threat to me" is now lobbying against the 19 turbines proposed for Marshland St James.

Councillor Jack Bantoft, who represented Marshland on West Norfolk Council for more than 18 years and is now parish council chairman, claims the turbines will remove sunlight from his home.

Cllr Bantoft, says he lives in what would be the 'flicker zone' for one of the turbines that a consortium wants to build in Marshland Fen.

He says it would "impact negatively on the enjoyment of my residential amenity as it would remove the sunlight from my home, including my garden, for a significant part of the day, especially in seasons when sunlight is scarce."

Cllr Bantoft insists he is not anti wind turbine and has no objection in principle to wind turbines on Marshland Fen "but I am objecting to this application."

Apart from the flicker, Cllr Bantoft is also concerned about the proximity of the turbines to the Middle Level Drain.

Substantial numbers of swans feed on fields beside the Middle Level Main Drain and move onto the water at night to roost "presumably to be safely away from predators. They fly in wide arcs to get from field to water and vice versa."

Cllr Bantoft says: "I suggest there needs to be a strip of land at least half a mile wide- a sort of cordon sanitaire-on each side of the Middle Level Drain to ensure that this process of movement continues to take place safely."

His comments were published on the West Norfolk Council website together with dozens of others protesting about the proposals.

Cllr Bantoft said last year that as a resident he favoured wind generation and although he personally "don't see it as a threat to me" he recognised neighbours may have concerns.

The application has been submitted to the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform but West Norfolk Council is involved in the consultation process.