VILLAGERS are mounting a postal protest against plans for wind turbines close to their communities.

People in Stanley Crook are joining forces with their neighbours in Sunniside to object to the siting of two 107-metre masts at Stanley Moss by developers Amec and landowners the Banks Group.

Outline proposals for two further wind farms, at Broom Hill and at Nackshiven Farm, near Tanners Hall, are also being discussed with Wear Valley District Council planning officials.

About 50 people at a public meeting in Stanley Village Hall were urged to send letters of objection to the council.

Campaigner Michelle Shaw, from Arthur Terrace, Stanley, said the noise from the turbines would affect homes inside a 2km radius.

She said: "The whole area around here has been designated for wind farms. If the Stanley Moss site is allowed to proceed, the floodgates will open for other developments.

"These turbines won't bring jobs or benefit the area in any way. They can reduce house prices by 30 per cent. They are not environmentally friendly. They are noisy and tons of concrete are used in construction, producing huge amounts of CO2."

Objector Ken Ross said: "For years this area has had the rough end of the stick with huge opencast sites. Now that it is back to green fields and we can hear the birds singing again, they want to put a massive power station on our doorstep. We have to get together and put our objections to the planners and anybody else who will listen."

Amec's planning submission for Stanley Moss includes proposals to develop a 20-acre nature conservation area with Durham Wildlife Trust. A community benefits fund will offer money to local projects, organisations and community groups.

Emma Lewin, Banks' community relations manager, said: "We have carried out extensive environmental assessments and community consultation.

"We believe that the proposed Sunniside scheme effectively uses the area's natural resources to contribute to the Government's targets for the production of green electricity."