Campaigners fighting a proposal to erect three wind turbines in Haddenham flew a blimp close to the application site over the weekend.

Ely Standard: The view of the blimp over AldrethThe view of the blimp over Aldreth (Image: Archant)

The Stop Berry Fen Wind Farm group hired the blimp, a gas-filled balloon, from specialist company Visual Reality and flew it on Saturday up to 410 feet - the height of the turbines that REG Windpower has applied to erect in Berry Fen.

People from the surrounding villages were asked to send in pictures of the blimp from their home and group members say dozens were gathered.

Photographs came in from Haddenham and Aldreth, and from neighbouring villages Bluntisham, Cottenham, Earith, Grunty Fen, Landbeach, Ramsey, Stretham, Sutton, Sutton Gault, Wentworth, Wilburton, Willingham, Witcham, and Witchford.

The group still want more photographs of the blimp sent in, as they will be creating a map to show the visual impact of the turbines.

Georgina Parkes, from Haddenham, said: “I hope that seeing the blimp will show those that support the wind farm, or who currently have no opinion either way about it, how much of a negative impact it would have.

“I would like to say to those who support the wind farm that when the three gigantic turbines go up, and you realise how horrendous they look and how they have damaged our environment, our peace and quiet, and our health, it will be too late then to object.”

REG hopes the turbines will serve nearly 4,000 homes with renewable energy. The company says the project will also ensure the council meets its renewable energy targets.

The deadline for comments on the application is September 3.