A COMMUNITY action group has re-formed over plans to create a £1m two turbine wind farm near their homes in Consett .

The Fairways Residents Committee is hoping to persuade farmer Douglas Whitfield and Consett and District Golf Club to relocate the Berry Edge Farm scheme.

Environmentally-friendly energy firm Green Gale has submitted a full planning application to Durham County Council on their behalf.

But residents are concerned the farm will ruin their countryside view and pave the way for further developments in the area.

The residents committee was formed several years ago, but had become dormant until the plan was mooted earlier this year.

Chairwoman Joanne Wilson said: "It is not that we are against wind turbines, but this site is not suitable. The turbines proposed are just to close to residential properties, which are less than 350 metres away."

Residents also have fears about the impact the farm will have on their health, local wildlife, levels of noise pollution, television and radio reception and air traffic safety.

The group is being supported by Durham County Councillor Owen Temple, who represents Consett on the authority, but does not sit on the planning committee.

He said: "I have been to around 250 houses and it is clear to me that local opinion is three to one against the wind farm. The main concern people have is the loss of visual amenity because it is a lovely part of the world and it will be damaged."

The investors hope to make between £80,000 and £120,000 a year by supplying green electricity to the National Grid, and the say it will safeguard their future.

James Race, director of Green Gale, who is managing the project, said: "We have been developing this for quite a while and it has cost quite a bit. We now need to know whether we can get planning permission.

"If the council grants it within a boundary there may be some flexibility about where they are located and we could move them."

Council planning officers will be writing a report for councillors who will determine whether the application is given the go ahead at a future meeting.