CONTROVERSIAL plans to build two wind turbines south of York have been backed by city councillors against the advice of officers.

At a meeting yesterday, City of York councillors gave their full support to Powergen's plans to site the two 364ft turbines on the Escrick Park Estate, south of Escrick, between York and Selby.

The decision went against advice from council officers that the plan should be opposed because the turbines' size and location would harm the setting and historic character of York.

Members of the group opposed to the plan, Selby Community Residents Against Powergen (SCRAP), fear the scheme will blight the landscape, harm wildlife and devalue their homes.

Chris Clay, the group's chairman, told the meeting the overwhelming majority of local residents were against the plan.

He said: "These things will be some of the largest of their kind in the UK - they are going to be almost twice the height of York Minster. They will dominate the landscape and be clearly visible from York.

"And it's not just a size issue. The noise they will generate will be considerable."

He also voiced concerns that wildfowl such as ducks and geese using Wheldrake Ings five miles away could be affected.

But in an impassioned plea, Lib Dem Wheldrake ward member Coun Christian Vassie asked councillors to support the plan, saying the city should be at the forefront of initiatives to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

Coun Vassie claimed the two turbines could produce enough renewable energy to power 2,300 homes - the equivalent of all the people living in Escrick, Wheldrake, Skipwith, Stillingfleet, Elvington, Naburn, Deighton and Crockey Hill.

He said: "Cities like York, with its history of flooding, should be particularly aware of the dangers of rising sea levels and should be at the forefront of initiatives to reduce our dependence on carbon dioxide- emitting fossil fuels."

As York planners debated the wind turbine application, hundreds of residents attended a public exhibition organised by Powergen in Skipwith.

Selby District councillors now hold the fate of the project in their hands, having the final decision on the planning application. This will not be considered until March 2 at the earliest, and a final decision is not expected until April or May.

Updated: 09:54 Friday, February 11, 2005