Anger at port wind turbine plan

A planning application for the turbines is due to be issued

A group of residents in Dundee has vowed to fight plans to erect two 127m tall wind turbines in the city's port.

Forth Energy are due to apply for planning permission for the turbines to the city council in the coming weeks.

However, Residents Against Tay Turbines (RATTS) has claimed the plans breach health guidelines that turbines should not come within 2km of people's homes.

Forth Energy said "great care" had been taken to ensure there would be minimal impact on residents and local wildlife.

The company said that the proposal was part of a wider strategy to promote Dundee as a centre for renewable energy.

A spokesman added that the firm had held a series of exhibitions and meetings to explain the proposals.

He said: "We encourage everyone to take part in this process and hope they will make an informed decision on whether they support the development."

'Visual impact'

If given the go ahead, the turbines would have an electrical generation capacity of between two mega watts and 2.5 mega watts each.

However, campaigners cite research from Barbara Frey and Peter Hadden, published in 2007, which details the impact of noise pollution when turbines are built too close to properties.

Zara Gall from RATTS said: "Residents feel that the huge turbines are well beyond what is required for the energy use of the port and they will have a long lasting and widespread visual impact for generations to come.

"RATTS are not against wind turbines per se but feel that they should be sighted offshore, or the use or wave power should be used instead."