PLANNERS will consider a controversial application for a wind turbine farm at a meeting next week.

Wind Prospect, a Birmingham-based company which develops wind energy, has applied to erect 12 100-metre turbines at Rusholme Grange, near Drax.

The application will be heard by Selby District Council's planning committee on Wednesday.

Committee chairman Wally Norton said: "This application created a lot of interest when it was up a month ago.

"We didn't hear it then, because we went on a couple of site visits in the Midlands.

"There were about 50 people at last month's meeting, and we're expecting lots in the balcony next week too."

Coun Norton said the plans had already been considered by central Government and it was now up to the committee to consider them from a local point of view.

Local residents have expressed concerns about putting such a large development less than two miles away from Drax Power Station.

Drax Parish Council raised a number of objections to the proposal. In a statement, it said: "Our village canvas indicated that 80 per cent of respondents opposed the proposal and four per cent were ambivalent about it.

"We are not convinced there will be no adverse health effect as a result of low frequency vibration, noise and shadow flicker resulting from operation of these machines.

"And we are concerned that there will be a significant detrimental visual impact upon our area."

Richard Barker, development manager at Wind Prospect, said: "In terms of access, we've made arrangements to open a road that was previously closed, to ensure traffic doesn't go through nearby villages - that should minimise any congestion problems.

"In terms of proliferation, there are very strict planning laws on increasing the number of wind turbines.

"Just because you've got them in one area, that doesn't mean they're going to set any kind of precedent.

"There has been a full environmental impact assessment on the site, and it will have a limited environmental impact.

"It's quite difficult to find a site which all consultees agree on.

"But the Rusholme Grange site is open and there is a decent amount of space between the turbines and local residents.

"The councillors have been on visits to sites with similar sized turbines and I hope these visits have allayed their worries.

"And with Drax Power Station nearby, there are already large structures in the area."