TWO brothers are hoping to build a wind farm in Teesdale, despite objections to the plans.

Andrew and Mark Thompson have applied to Durham County Council for planning permission to build two 46m turbines on their family farm, located next to the A66, near Barnard Castle.

They claim the Ponder Gill wind turbine project could generate more than £1m for the community if the plans are approved.

However, the South Teesdale Action Group (STAG) says the site is “totally inappropriate” for the scheme and more than 30 residents and organisations, such as Bowes Parish Council and the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership, have also objected.

The brothers – who inherited the land at Ponder Gill following the death of their father - estimate the wind farm could be worth up to £2m to the local community over the next 20 years and recently scaled back their original plans for five 47m turbines.

Andrew said a community benefit scheme would be put in place to benefit local organisations.

“My brother and I were born and raised in this area, so being able to support our community is something we feel strongly about,” he said.

“We appreciate wind farms can be a contentious issue, but we can assure people in the surrounding area, our turbines will be well designed and amongst the quietest turbines on the market, as well as playing a hugely significant role in providing funds for the important work of local organisations.”

However, Keith Alexander, of STAG, said: “The planning portal quite clearly shows that so far there have been over 30 objections from the local community.

“No-one has written in support of this development. This area of Teesdale is not an area identified as suitable for wind development and the objections raised by local residents during the consultation process have not been addressed."

“At 47 metres high these turbines will be more than twice the size of the Angel of the North and are not 'small-scale' or 'discreet’,” Mr Alexander added.

“The developers are trying to squeeze two, large structures into a very small acreage of land and as a result they are unacceptably close to neighbouring residential properties.

“The turbines will be out of proportion to any existing man-made developments or natural features.”

The brothers hope a decision on the plans will be made next month.