SCORES of objections have been lodged against plans to build a huge wind turbine in Selby which would stand taller than York Minster.

A plan has been submitted to build a 500kW wind turbine on land at Oak Tree Farm, near Selby Common, east of the town, which would measure 77.9 metres from base to tip.

Under the plans, The turbine would will be built to provide power to the national grid and be decommissioned by the developers after 25 years.

However, More than 40 people have already objected to the scheme, including Selby Civic Society, which said they believes the turbine would cause “environmental damage” and would be “visible from miles around”.

The society’s objection states: “A structure of this height is entirely unsuitable for the area. Selby Civic Society supports the other objections to this application.”

Another objection said the plan by developers to use mature planting to screen the turbine “will have very little effect indeed”, while many were concerned over noise and flicker effects caused by the turbine.

Local resident Keith Tovey said: “In a flat landscape it would have significant adverse effects on the visual and landscape amenities, and spoil the outlook, which is the main reason I moved here. Both Brayton Barff and Hambleton Hough, where a great many people walk, would also be affected in terms of its visual amenity. The long unbroken views would be spoiled.”

Another objection by Eric Jubb, who plans to move into the area, called the plans “monstrous”, and an “eyesore”.

He said: “I cannot see any advantages to locals or the area as suggested in the proposal.”

“The proposed turbine is totally out of keeping with the Selby Common area. Such enormous turbines may well have their place in remote locations but are totally unsuitable for residential areas, particularly where the surrounding area is totally flat.”

A decision is expected on the plans next month. The application follows City of York Council’s refusal of planning permission last month for a 78-metre high wind turbine application earlier this month.

The 78 metre high turbine, planned for Ivy House Farm at Kexby, was refused planning permission by City of York councillors.