GROUPS opposing the development of wind turbines along the banks of the River Severn are combining their efforts against what they say is a "wind farm by stealth".

A 'Say No to Severn Turbines' spokesman says it recently became clear that the application for a 285 foot turbine at Alvington Court was the first of four turbine applications this side of the river and two more in Stroud.

However a spokesman for Resilience, the company behind the turbine proposals, said the protest group was small but vociferous and was basing its campaign on making people afraid.

The Alvington Court application is currently under consideration by Forest planners.

The new group says Resilience has declared an intention to bring forward applications at Nursehill Farm (North Lydney), Plusterwyne Farm (Nr.Woolaston) and Severndale Farm (Tidenham), completing a windfarm that will stretch down a strip of the estuary between the railway and A48.

"Opposition groups in North Lydney and Plusterwyne are building on the experience of Aylburton and Alvington and ensuring a combined response to the anticipated planning applications," says a spokesman.

"Residents in Ned's Top and North Lydney are braced to fend off another application three years after 450 residents petitioned the council to prevent a turbine on the same farm near the A48. The aim of the group is first and foremost to persuade the responsible authorities to look at the cumulative impact of these proposals.

"Their concerns include the barrier to wildlife, the displacement of bird populations, the risks attached to such large turbines being built close to the rail and road infrastructure and, most importantly, close to local homes, an issue about which there is no regulation.

"They are also concerned that the planners look at the overall impact on the landscape on an estuary with world importance and that is a key feature in attracting regional tourism. In addition to the Resilence proposals, which have tried to persuade planners they are 'community scale', there are several more companies with developments in the pipeline waiting to see the outcome before following suit."