A CONTROVERSIAL plan to build a wind farm on the Wolds is to go to a public inquiry in November, following the district council planning committee’s decision to veto the project.

RWE nPower, a German-based energy company, wants to build 10 turbines, each 126 metres tall, high on agricultural land at Heslerton Wold.

Paul Stephens, of Moor Farm, West Heslerton, whose farm would border the development, fears the wind farm will jeopardise an airstrip he has nearby. “It will cause a huge safety problem,” said Mr Stephens.

He added: “The turbines won’t be sustainable because we believe they will only be 22 per cent efficient. They will only generate enough electricity to power one train from to London.”

Wolds farmer James Cundall said: “This landscape has remained undisturbed from Neolithic times but now it is threatened by greed of the power company and landowners.”

Mr Cundall said: “Those who have been complacent about the scheme will be very shocked with the turbines if they get planning permission at the inquiry.”

A crowd of landowners, farmers and residents from several villages on the Wolds gathered near the site to hear Edward Legard, a senior member of Ryedale District Council say: “The Wolds are a very precious and historic landscape. We are fighting as hard as we can to put the case to the Government planning inspector.”

He believes that government planning policy is now in support of the public when they voiced their views strongly on such issues as wind farms.

“We have strong grounds to object to this windfarm.”

Coun Legard (Cons) said he was hoping to have an evening session at the inquiry, which is due to start at Ryedale House, Malton, on November 19 when residents would be able to have their say.

He said objectors have until September 10 to put forward their views online or in writing to The Planning Inspectorate in Bristol.

RWE says the scheme will provide power to several thousands of homes in the Ryedale area.