A FARMER says a "wall of windfarms" is ruining the only truly rural area in Darlington.

Robert Ord, of Brafferton, near Darlington, campaigned against the Moor House windfarm, which is now under construction at Barmpton, for eight years.

He claims that from his farm he can see for 40 miles in each direction – and says there will soon be a whole wall of windfarms stretching across the landscape.

He said: "The council never took on board the impact on the rural area. Those turbines will be seen forever. Wherever you are in County Durham you can see them.

"I did point out at the time that St Cuthbert's Church steeple is only the height of the ground level of the turbines.

"Plus the height of Moor House means they can be seen for miles around.

"They are going straight through a Roman road, and through the only truly rural bit of Darlington that is left. It is absolutely crass to put the turbines there.

"Soon we will see nothing but a wall of turbines at Darlington, Stillington, Sedgefield, and then beyond to Redcar."

Mark Dowdall, environment and community director at the Banks Group, said: "Onshore wind is recognised as being the most effective technology in delivering carbon reduction targets for the UK at the lowest cost for the consumer, and has a key role to play in generating more of the energy that we use to power our homes, businesses, farms, schools and hospitals via renewable means.

"North-East England has one of the best available wind resources in the whole of Europe, and it is encouraging to see the way in which it is being harnessed through carefully-designed and located schemes, all of which are subject to very detailed and rigorous assessment under the planning regulations."