Objectors to plans to site two wind turbines near Whitland have stepped up their campaign against the proposals with a petition.

The application to site the two 105-metre turbines at Ciffig, on high ground to the south of Whitland, was submitted to Carmarthenshire County Council back in January by organic farmer Nigel Short, who lives nearby.

However, since then, many local residents have voiced their concern at the proposals, with Whitland Town Council also objecting to the plans.

Now the group WAFT (Whitland Against Ffynnoncyll Turbines) have launched a petition against the proposals, believing that the people of Whitland and the local community will suffer adverse effects to the quality of their lives should the turbines be erected.

When out campaigning and trying to gain signatures for their petition, the group were also alarmed to find just how many locals were unaware of the application.

"We recently held a public meeting in the town to discuss the matter, which was well attended, but when we went door to door around the area and especially Cyffig, where the turbines would be sited, we were horrified by the amount of people who were unaware of this proposed development," said Mrs. Vivienne Morris, one of the locals behind the WAFT group.

The objectors believe that at least 181 properties in and around the town would suffer should these turbines be erected. They cite possible detrimental effects as being - TV, radio and mobile phone interference, noise pollution, vibration, health concerns causing the likes of migraines and epilepsy, and also possible flooding in the town due to water run off from the development site.

"We believe the development would also devalue properties in the town and prove detrimental to tourism in the area as a whole," explained Mrs. Bunny Howarth, of WAFT.

"Locals and businesses who have the heart of the town as their priority, have been trying to improve it aesthetically for years, we feel this horrendous development would set us back again," she continued.

The objectors have also sought support from local MPs and AMs and will hold another public meeting if there is enough support for one in the town.

"We will hold another public awareness meeting in the town hall if people feel that they want the matter discussed further and any proposals explained to them," said Mrs. Morris, who wants anyone interested in having a further meeting to email [email protected]">[email protected]

The developers and applicant have stressed that, of the 68,000 turbines in the world, there is no scientific evidence that any have caused health concerns.

"We're not against wind turbines as a whole, just as long as they are away from residential areas," added Mrs. Morris.

The application is due to be heard by Carmarthenshire Council at a later date.