A CONTROVERSIAL plan to build twowind turbines on green belt land in South Ockendon has been agreed by councillors.

Last month, a petition with nearly 50 signatures from residents in Hamble Lane and Eriff Drive was delivered to Thurrock Council opposing the plans for two 250ft turbines on a nearby former landfill site between the M25 and West Road.

However, councillors passed the application, submitted by Rural Arisings, at a planning committee meeting last week.

Karen Smith, who lives nearby in Little Belhus Close, said: “The problem I have is the wind turbines are going to be placed too close to our homes and also in the middle of a nature reserve.

“I don’t understand how them being in the middle of a nature reserve is going to encourage birds to come and visit. It would surely deter them with the noise and movement.

“They definitely ruin the landscape and devalue your property value.”

The turbines are set to provide renewable energy to the Ockendon Academy and the National Grid.

Rural Arisings is promising to pay the Little Belhus Trust Fund forum £10,000 out of any income made.

Paul Stevens, who lives nearby, said: “Residents already put up with continuous daily noise of the M25. Some people living near wind turbines have been found to have health issues since they were installed in their area.”