A NEW FOREST couple believe planners are going to blow out proposals to erect a wind turbine on a barn at their home.

The environmentally-minded Sopley couple says the turbine would generate up to 30 per cent of their domestic electricity but fear the scheme will be turned down by planners because of concerns over noise pollution affecting neighbours.

They say they will now wait until planning permission for wind turbines is shelved nationally, and just put it up then.

Charlotte Dunnill, from Dairy Farm House, said: "The environment is a cause very close to our heart. We've had solar tubes on our roof for the past 12 years which have been fantastic, giving us hot water all summer.

"I do my little bit with recycling and leave the car whenever we can.

"But we wanted to save more energy and thought a turbine would be perfect."

Charlotte describes herself as a hobby farmer with goats, ducks and geese.

Of the couple's four neighbours consulted about the scheme, only one has objected. "The noise expert from the council says he's very worried about that type of pollution from the turbine and from what he's said I think they will turn down our application," said Charlotte.

"Overall the whole process is too expensive and complicated. It's not easy trying to be environmentally friendly."

A spokeswoman from the district planning department says they are unable to comment on possible decisions for pending applications.

But she did say there has been a fair bit of interest about installing wind turbines across the Forest, but that very few had materialised as planning applications.

"I know that the government is looking to change some of the guidelines because a lot need planning permission," she said.

"This means some will be exempt from planning control, but unfortunately the government moves slowly."