Campaigners hoping to quash controversial plans for the region’s first wind farm to be created between Burntwood and Heath Hayes have joined forces.

Members of the newly formed Bleak House Wind Farm Action Group (BWFAG) said they want to use strength in numbers to make sure the proposed development on the former Bleak House opencast mining site does not go ahead.

The planned wind farm has attracted fierce criticism from residents in surrounding areas like Chase Terrace and Heath Hayes since it first emerged more than four years ago and hundreds of letters of objection have been submitted to Cannock Chase Council.

Now, as a decision on the plans looms closer, the various opposing groups have combined their weight in the hope of convincing planning bosses to reject the proposals for good.

Campaigner Dave Baker, of Kingsdown Road, Chase Terrace, said: “There were always action groups but it was a bit fragmented – the site is surrounded by quite a few villages.

“We’ve all pulled together now to form one group – it’s power in numbers. It was too much for one person to do to try and take this application on,” Mr Baker added.

The group will meet once a fortnight to discuss its progress and is planning to launch a series of exhibitions in the areas surrounding the site for people to find out more.

According to BFWAG, the site at Bleak House is totally inappropriate.