'Car factory wind farm' approved

Plans for a wind farm at a car factory in the north-east of England have been approved by city councillors.

Sunderland Council says the seven turbines, each 51m high, will pose no threat to the environment at the Nissan plant in Washington.

The turbines will generate 7.5% of the factory's electricity needs, according to a company spokesman.

A council consultation scheme also concluded that the turbines would be "relatively unobtrusive".

The views of neighbouring local authorities, emergency services and countryside and environment agencies were all taken into account, according to the council.

'Visual implications'

Steve France, the principal planner, said: "The key issue when considering this particular scheme, was the visual impact it would have on the surrounding area, but environmental experts were also consulted.

"They checked from a variety of viewpoints and decided that siting the turbines in an industrial part of the landscape, which is also beneath the skyline, meant the visual implications would be minimal."

The council also said it had taken into account the concerns of people living nearby, who are concerned about noise pollution and effects on television reception.

Mr France added: "Thorough investigations into the impact on people living nearby established the turbines would not provide a problem with noise or television reception."