The study released Tuesday by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection shows that the Wind One industrial turbine in the Cape Cod town of Falmouth produces noise louder than the state allows. The report marks the first time the state has recommended a shut-off of a wind turbine.

Matt Baker, the presenter of BBC's Countryfile, is the latest high profile figure to question the effectiveness of wind farms and ask if they are a threat to the beauty of the British countryside.

The first of three public meetings is taking place about plans for 350, 49ft (15m) tall electricity pylons through rural areas of Powys. The overhead line is planned from a wind farm in Llandinam to a sub-station in Welshpool 22 miles (35km) away, and is needed to meet energy demands. Drop-in sessions and meetings are being held in Dolfor and Kerry, near Newtown.

Plymouth GP Dr Amanda Harry has conducted her own survey on the effect of noise on people living near the Bears Down wind farm in Cornwall. Here, she reveals her findings.

"There is a real concern about a number of issues. Not least of which how the local roads in Shore could cope during the construction phase. These are expensive symbols without doing much to contribute to the nation's energy supply. They will destroy the South Pennine environment that we all benefit from. I welcome Paul's support who will take this debate about renewables further in Parliament."

"Due to the size and scale of the proposed turbine, and being located only 300 metres from housing, my constituents believe this will have a detrimental impact on their residential amenity. The potential noise levels could also have important implications on their health and wellbeing."

VILLAGERS battling to prevent a wind farm being built near their homes have received a boost after Boston's MP pledged his support for their cause. But Mark Simmonds left a meeting of the Sibsey Turbine Onshore Protest (STOP) group in no doubt as to the scale of the task ahead as members try to prevent the Needham Wind Farm project becoming a towering reality. ..."We would all support making a meaningful contribution to the reduction of greenhouse gases through increasing renewable energy, but in a flat Fenland landscape, with the sorts of wind speeds you get round here? "This is not the right place to put wind farms."

Last month, Stockton Council's planning committee refused an application for a 60m test mast to be located in a field between the two villages to gather wind data over a period of two years. [Stockton MP] Dari Taylor met Dr Leo Hicks and retired industrial chemist Dr Doug Wallace who are leading a protest, supported by the two villages' 400 residents. The MP told them she totally opposes wind farms when they are placed in a rural setting, spoiling the countryside. Ms Taylor said: "Wind farms have their place out in the North Sea or on redundant parts of MOD land, but not in beautiful countryside. ..."Now an energy company wants to place a large wind farm across the beautiful countryside between Hilton and Seamer. "I think they are ugly, incredibly noisy and don't produce enough energy.

The MP for Mid Worcestershire has called for a ban on commercial wind turbines being constructed within a kilometre of people's homes. Peter Luff said proposals for a wind farm close to Bishampton, near Pershore, would see some turbines located little more than 600 metres away from houses.

The MP for Mid Worcestershire has called for a ban on commercial wind turbines being constructed within a kilometre of people's homes. ...Speaking after visiting a public exhibition organised by Scottish Power Renewables at Norton and Lenchwick parish hall, the Conservative MP said: "These are effectively 40-storey high structures in open countryside - they must be a reasonable distance from homes.

Baumber Wind Farm Action Group stepped up their campaign at the weekend inviting people to a helicopter ride over the area where eight 125 metre high turbines could be put up. Horncastle MP Sir Peter Tapsell and Gainsborough MP Edward Leigh both gave their support to BWAG and highlighted their opposition to inland wind farms. Sir Peter said: "It is a beautiful part of the constituency and I am wholly opposed to their erection and to inland windfarms generally. The contribution that they make is minimal."

An MP has joined a chorus of opposition against the UK's largest wind turbines. Weaver Vale MP Mike Hall has spoken against the cluster of four 410ft-high turbines, 100ft taller than Big Ben, and would even dwarf the Fiddlers Ferry Cooling Tower if they were built at Aston Grange. After giving evidence at a public inquiry into the proposals he said: "The developers Tegni Cymru have said that a specific planning policy gives them the right to build the wind farm.