A WIND turbine could be erected in Horsley if proposals from Ruskin Mill College get the go-ahead.

Plans are being drawn up for a turbine at the college's Gables Farm for educational purposes.

The 15-metre windmill - which would cost around £28,000 - would be about a third of the height of the Ecotricity turbines at Lynch Knoll, Nympsfield, which are 42-metres.

It is hoped that power generated from the 6kw turbine would contribute to the farm's energy consumption and complement solar panels installed last year.

Jacqui Rogers (corr), development co-ordinator at the college, said: "It will eventually be incorporated into the curriculum together with the solar panel system as part of a program on sustainable energy.

"Energy generated will be used in woodland and farm buildings and any surplus sold back to the national grid."

The plans have yet to be submitted to Stroud District Council and the college also needs to get funding.

Ms Rogers admitted the plans may generate opposition because of the location - which is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

"I think we will get some opposition because some residents will have it in their view," she said.

"However, we have done photomontages and from that distance there are trees which are slightly higher."

Horsley Parish Council was given a presentation about the plans on Tuesday.

John Nicholson, Horsley parish clerk and aNailsworth town councillor, said: "Everyone found it very informative.

"We didn't make a resolution because the plans haven't been submitted yet.

"However, the presentation means when the plans are submitted we can look at them from a more informed point of view."

Presentations will also be given to Nailsworth Town Council.