DARLINGTON Council has lodged its objection to proposals for a 24-turbine windfarm near Sedgefield.

Although the site sits just more than one kilometre north of Darlington’s northern boundary, the authority was asked its views as part of the consultation process because the turbines will be visible from part of the borough.

Durham County Council will make the final decision on whether to approve the plans which were submitted by energy giant E-on in May this year.

At today’s (Wednesday, October 22) meeting of Darlington Council’s planning committee, planning officer Roy Merritt pointed out that there were already several approved turbine sites in the locality and the council should be wary of allowing a “windfarm landscape” to be created.

Committee members agreed that more turbines would have an unacceptable visual impact on the area, particularly for residents of the Great Stainton area.