A DECISION to allow a wind turbine at a motorway service station has whipped up a storm of protest.

The 86.5m wind turbine at Cherwell Valley service station in Ardley, near Bicester, has been given permission by councillors despite a string of objections.

Parish councils, environmental groups and residents said it was an inappropriate location and raised concerns about its visual impact, flight safety at nearby Oxford Airport and the effect on wildlife.

Last year four wind turbines, each measuring 125m tall and part of a £10m windfarm, were approved for a site the other side of the village after an appeal by developer Bolsterstone.

Legal work is taking place before they can be built at Willowbank Farm, between Ardley and Fritwell, about a mile from the services site.

At the Cherwell District Council planning meeting last Thursday, councillors were told the turbine would power some of the service station, at junction 10 of the M40.

A spokesman for Moto Cherwell Valley Services said the turbine at Cherwell Valley was part a strategy to reduce its carbon footprint.

“We believe the environmental impact of wind turbines at service areas is lower than many of the alternative locations, although we understand large installations in the countryside will always be controversial,” said the spokesman.

Construction work will begin within two years.