World-renowned Glyndebourne Opera House is embroiled in a row with environmental groups over plans to erect a 230ft wind turbine.
The East Sussex venue wants to build the 850kw turbine on Mill Plain, between Ringmer and Glyndebourne.
Four groups have united to fight the plans, claiming its position in a designated-area of outstanding natural beauty is "absolutely wrong".
The South Downs Society is supported by the Council for National Parks, the Campaign to Protect Rural England and the Ramblers Association. Dr Tony Parker of the South Downs Society told the BBC: "The reason the four rural protection groups have come together is because this represents a massive detriment to the South Downs without any perceivable impact on the carbon footprint.
"To put it in context, it would be higher than the clock face on Big Ben." Glyndebourne says the "landmark" turbine will reduce its carbon emissions by 71 per cent.
Glyndebourne chairman Gus Christie told the BBC that surrounding trees would stop the sound of the turbine carrying as far as the opera house or the village of Ringmer. He said: "In this day and age the careful siting of these turbines is vital to show we are doing our bit to combat climate change.
"With the terrible consequences of global warming, it is crazy to be obstructing one single turbine in one's field of vision."
Lewes district council will consider the planning application in July.
