COUNCILLORS have Vvoted overwhelmingly to reject plans for an eight-turbine windfarm that brought objections from an international airport.
The vote, by members of Harrogate Borough Council, means the National Wind Power application, for a site by the A59 Harrogate-Skipton Road, near Kettlesing Head, North Yorkshire, will be referred to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.
The application was opposed by Leeds-Bradford International Airport, and a public inquiry will be held in Harrogate on August 2 next year to decide the matter.
Planning officers said the windfarm could jeopardise aircraft safety and recommended refusal.
They also said it would have a detrimental impact on the adjoining Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
National Wind Power said analysis by two companies indicated that aircraft radars would not detect the turbines.
The airport, however, contested the claim.
The 300ft-high turbines, on a 200-acre site, would be seen from the fringe of York, Ripon, Boroughbridge and north Leeds.
A report said the site would give a maximum output of about 10.4 megawatts of electricity, equivalent to the needs of 7,000 households.
Ten councillors rejected the scheme, with one abstention.
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