CONTROVERSIAL plans to build seven wind turbines near Selby have been refused, following more than 1,000 objections.

The application, to build a new wind farm on land near Scalm Park, Wistow, was submitted by developers Prowind in 2009, and would have seen seven 125-foot high turbines built on land north of Thorpe Willoughby and Hambleton.

But more than 1,0000 residents objected due to concerns over noise, vibrations and extra traffic, saying the turbines were too near the villages.

Selby District Council’s planning committee has now rejected the application following advice from planning officers.

A report to the committee said the amended plans were inadequate. It said: “The applicant was requested to do further work. Unfortunately, despite repeated requests, the council has not received amended information.”

Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty, wrote to the committee chairman to back the local residents.

He said: “Turbines of this size would simply dominate the landscape with its open long distance views to the west of Selby. For people living in Thorpe Willoughby, Wistow and Hambleton the overwhelming impression would be one of living close to a wind farm. The turbines would have an inescapable presence.”

Mr Adams said he had visited a local resident and “felt that from her home the presence of the turbines would be overwhelming and inescapable”, and that creating a new wind farm in the area would “substantially alter the character of Selby and the setting for its historic buildings including the Abbey”.