A PROPOSED wind farm would be "another nail in Sellindge's coffin", the village residents' association has warned.

Electricity firm Ecotricity says that the farm, which would be built alongside the M20, would supply "green" power to more than 10,000 homes in the area.

It hopes to build the farm at the Burch's Rough site, just north of Port Lympne Wild Animal Park, between the A20 and Harringe Lane, by 2013.

However, Sellindge Residents' Association chairman Ronald Lello said villagers would be outraged when they heard about the project.

He said: "We would be strongly opposed to the wind farm without doubt.

"It would be another nail in the village's coffin because we are already fighting the sludge plant plans, the lorry park and a project which aims to bring 400 homes to our village alone.

"The powers that be are trying to industrialise the whole area.

"When people hear of these latest development plans they will be very upset and worried."

Ecotricity already operates 52 wind turbines at 16 parks across the UK. The smallest turbines are 63 metres tall, from base to the tip of a sail, while the tallest reach 120 metres.

It is not clear how many units would be installed in Sellindge or how tall they will be if the project is given the green light.

Mr Lello added: "This is a hugely significant scheme which will impact on the skyline and people's lives in Sellindge and the surrounding areas.

"With all the proposed developments aimed at our village, we are facing tough times."

Ecotricity has arranged a public exhibition of its plans to be held in Sellindge Village Hall next Thursday from 1pm to 7pm. Representatives from the firm will be on hand to answer questions from visitors.

A spokesman for the company said it had not yet submitted a planning application for the scheme and could not reveal how much it would cost.

Dale Vince, founder and managing director of Ecotricity, said: "Our aim is always for maximum environmental benefit with minimum environmental impact.

"Before we'll consider building a wind park we have to be sure that it will be a good neighbour to local people and wildlife for its entire life.

"If we can't be sure of that, then we walk away.

"We all have to decide where our energy comes from in the future.

"A wind park could be a really positive step for the people of Shepway, providing more than 10,000 homes with green electricity made from the wind – a local clean energy source that will never run out."