Plans to install an 80m-high weather mast may be the first step towards a fully-fledged wind farm development for the region.

German company Prowind is seeking permission from Lichfield District Council to erect the temporary mast.

They want to put it up on land at Haunton Manor, near the villages of Thorpe Constantine and Clifton Campville. The mast will measure wind speeds and direction at the site, which is owned by farmer Philip Bennion – a district councillor representing the Mease and Tame ward.

Mr Bennion told the Express & Star that – depending on wind data produced – the project may pave the way for up to five wind turbines on the land.

He said: “The wind energy company actually approached me. I wasn’t aware until they did that I had a suitable site.

“I’ve made many public statements in support of renewable energy and I didn’t feel when they came to me with this that I could take a ‘Nimby’ stance.

“Obviously if it does go ahead there will be some income in it for me, I’m not trying to deny that. But I do think we have got to get used to this sort of thing.”

Plans for a wind farm on land between Burntwood and Heath Hayes brought opposition from residents, who say turbines would be a scar on the landscape and devalue their homes.

The Bleak House Wind Farm Action Group set up to oppose the development has more than 1,000 signatures on a petition calling for the plans to be quashed.

County councillor Matthew Ellis, who represents Lichfield Rural East, has called for consultation on any potential wind farm development.

“The wind-measuring mast is, in itself, an extraordinary application – at around 250ft it would be taller than the nearby St Andrew’s Church,” he said.

“Suggestions are being made that it is in advance of wind farm proposals – wind turbines can be as high as 450ft and in that area the impact on one of the most beautiful parts of Staffordshire would be significant.

“I doubt that proposals would be for a significant number in this location, and I also doubt the renewable energy benefits would greatly outweigh the whole of life manufacturing, siting and environmental impact costs in this case,” he added.