Protests over 415ft high turbines

Protestors believe 400ft turbines would be too high

Protesters who are against a proposed new windfarm in Northumberland have called for a public inquiry.

The plans, for 18 wind turbines to be built five miles north of Middlemoor near Alnwick, are being considered by the Department of Trade and Industry.

Residents claim the 415ft-high (125m) turbines would be intrusive and are urging Alnwick District Council to object to the plans.

The application for the farm is being made by Npower Renewables.

Campaigner and farmer Dominic Coupe organised a public meeting at Northumberland Hall, Alnwick, on Tuesday to discuss the plans, which was attended by more than 200 people.

He said: "This is an important issue that people feel strongly about.

"Our objection isn't to wind energy, but to very poorly sited wind turbines which would be visible for miles around in a beautiful, lowland area right up against a coastal area of outstanding beauty.

32,000 households

"The turbines would be the equivalent of a 36-storey building which is four times the height of the High Level Bridge in Newcastle - you would certainly be able to see them 25 to 30 miles away. "

The plans are being considered by the DTI because of the scale of the project which is classed as a "power station".

Dan Grierson, of the Northern Energy Initiative, is in favour of the windfarm.

He said: "There are some existing turbines up and down the A19 in County Durham which are over 100m, so there are some comparable constructions already in the North East.

"They are extremely tall, but the bigger the turbine the more power it makes and the fewer turbines there have to be.

"These structures have to go where there is wind and this proposal would produce enough power for 32,000 households. "