VILLAGERS are battling controversial plans to build three 110metre high turbines which they claim will blight their lives.

Wind Prospect, an international renewable energy developer, wants to build the two megawatt turbines at Foxton, near to Sedgefield.

Locals fear approving the plans will mean they will be encircled by several small-scale windfarms.

There are already ten turbines at Butterwick Moor, Sedgefield, with plans on hold for four 125metre turbines at nearby Lambs Hill, Stillington.

John Holloway, of Foxton Woods Kennels, said: "There’s the visual impact and a lot of us are against this.

"We can see 17 turbines at Butterwick Moor and there’s going to be another four less than a mile away at Stillington.

"If this plan gets approved there will be another three just half a mile away and we’ll be almost enclosed by them.

"They are 110metres high and they will be on top of us and it will not do our business any good.

He added that Wind Prospect’s lorries would have to negotiate narrow roads to access the site too.

Phil Wilson, the Sedgefield MP, has written to Durham County Council, which will determine the plans, to oppose them.

He said: "My concern is that I don’t want the turbines to be all over the area. I can understand residents feeling inundated by turbines.

"Surely it must be wrong to allow wind farms to be given the go ahead in such close proximity to each other?

"The problem also lies with their visual impact as they can be seen for miles."

The council’s consultation into the plan ended on February 21 but no date has been set for it to be debated by the authority.

A Wind Prospect spokesman said: "We are in constant contact with residents.

"This particular type of turbine was chosen as it will give the minimal visual impact on the landscape.

"We are working with the council and we’re looking at historical schemes and ones in the pipeline to make sure Foxton’s fits in well."

He added that the firm had redrafted a visual impact and landscape assessment for the turbines taking into account those set for Lambs Hill.

The council declined to comment on the plans before they went in front of its planning committee.