BRITAIN'S biggest supermarket chain faced the wrath of councillors when they considered plans for a wind turbine - already installed at one of its stores.

Tesco came under fire over a 10m turbine outside its store in Newton Aycliffe.

By the time the retrospective application was debated by Sedgefield Borough Council's development control committee, the machine had been in place for two months without consent.

Coun Terry Hogan, who represents the town, said: "I have grave concerns about this application. I was told it would be here for three days for a promotional photo shoot, then it would be removed. It has been there for months now, without planning permission.

"People have grave concerns it was allowed to go up in these circumstances. It is an eyesore and distracting to traffic.

"It astounds me that a national company the size of Tesco could do this. I move we ask Tesco to take down the wind turbine. When they have done so, they can reapply for permission."

But members heard that despite the authority's frustration at Tesco's action, officers felt the application should be approved.

Development control manager Andrew Farnie said: "I don't think Tesco have helped the situation by putting it up then applying for planning permission, we found it frustrating. We are now faced with an existing structure and this application.

"Though it goes against the grain that it is retrospective, I need to say that isn't a material consideration of the application."

He said that the size, scale, materials and location of the turbine did not have an overbearing impact on residential amenity and the application was in line with planning and environmental policy.

Ten councillors voted to refuse the application, which could have seen the company ordered to pull down the turbine and start the process again. But they were outnumbered when 18 members voted in favour.

A spokesperson for Tesco said: "We accept there was an error on our part regarding this turbine and apologise for the circumstances surrounding the application.

"But we are happy with approval and hope the turbine at the Newton Aycliffe store can contribute towards renewal energy sources."