AN energy firm has reduced the size of a planned wind farm following demands from prospective neighbours.

Pure Renewable Energy has submitted an application to erect three turbines on land at East and West Newbiggin, north-east of Darlington.

Despite the changes, people living nearby are still unhappy about the plans.

The firm also faces a potential race against another wind farm developer - Banks Developments - which wants to erect six turbines at Moor House Farm, about two miles away.

Pure Renewable Energy, based in Nottingham, first came up with plans for the site more than three years ago.

At a consultation event last November, it said the application would comprise four turbines on land 2km south-west of Bishopton and 2km northeast of Sadberge. It would provide eight megawatts of energy - enough to power about 5,000 homes for 25 years. The turbines would be 110m high.

However, people who attended the two consultation days complained that one turbine was too close to Bishopton.

Alan Irvine, managing director of Pure Renewable Energy, said the firm had removed that turbine from its application, the amount of energy produced would be reduced proportionally.

Mr Irvine said: "A s a result ofthe views of residents, one turbine was taken out of the scheme.We feel it is amore acceptable scheme."

But people continue to oppose the plans on a number of grounds.

Lorraine Tostevin, who jointly chairs the Seven Parishes Action Group, said: "We will be fighting the application with all our force. As far as we are concerned, it is not appropriate."

She said it was too close to West Newbiggin, there were concerns with the access and that wind turbines had problems with noise, flicker and disturbance to villagers.

Ward councillor Brian Jones said: "I am not happy with the application, despite the reduction in size."

He wanted further assurances about access and any implications on the radar at Durham Tees Valley Airport.

Banks' application for Moor House Farm was rejected last November, but the County Durham-based firm has also submitted a smaller bid.

Darlington Borough Council said it would look at each application on its own merits. Consultants suggested the land is suitable for more than one small to medium-small development - one of four to six turbines.