THE group behind the battle to stop a wind farm being built near Copmanthorpe wants to hear of alternative green plans for the village, from residents.

Last week Copmanthorpe Wind Farm Action Group celebrated victory in its ongoing campaign, after York councillors rejected a plan by Banks Renewables to build a 70-metre mast.

Now, however, the group has said it wants to counter allegations of being “anti-green” by organising a public meeting on how the village can reduce its carbon footprint.

Graham Auton, 58, vice-chairman of the group, said: “We are still very much focused on the wind farm – but there’s been some criticism of our activities and there are some who think we are intimidating the environmentally minded and there are some who think we are nimbys. There’s been some unfair criticism.

“We want to show our own green credentials.”

Mr Auton said the group’s committee would meet next week to arrange a public consultation for villagers of all ages to discuss green initiatives for Copmanthorpe.

He said: “We are going to work with the villagers and talk about things like solar panels or water saving or anything we think will reduce carbon dioxide and improve the environment.

“We still don’t want the wind turbines but we are determined to make Copmanthorpe a greener village. We could become a blueprint for other areas.”

The committee is expected to meet next Wednesday to discuss when and where any public consultation would take place.

The mast plan, which was rejected last week by councillors in the Guildhall, could have seen the construction of a “test mast” which would have collected data to be used in a further planning application for a full wind farm.

However, the application was thrown out on the grounds it was inappropriate for a green belt and would be detrimental to the area because of its height, design and its effect on the visual amenity of the Copmanthorpe area and the “historical character of York”.