The views of two of Beverley's most iconic buildings could

be ruined if plans to create a wind farm are given the

go-ahead, according to East Riding Council.

The local authority warned stunning views of the Minster and

St Mary's Church would be obscured – especially from the

Westwood – if 12 huge turbines were allowed to be built at the

village of Routh.

A public inquiry into the controversial plans by RidgeWind

Ltd to site the 100m-high turbines at Hall Farm began at the

council offices in Skirlaugh yesterday.

Megan Thomas, representing the council, maintains the visual

impact would be significant and provides grounds for

refusal.

She also argued the East Riding was already set to exceed

its renewable energy targets.

Miss Thomas said: “Views of the townscape and landscape from

the Westwood are cherished views and are by no means

ordinary.

“The turbines would contrast starkly with the pastoral,

parkland nature of the Westwood.

“In light of the number of operational and consented wind

turbine schemes in the area, the need for this particular one

is not overwhelmingly compelling.

“The landscape and heritage harm can be justifiably avoided

by refusing permission.”

Local residents have also voiced concerns, with 22 of the 26

nearby households objecting to the plans.

Representative Barry Norton insisted the development would

impact on their quality of life.

In a statement submitted to the inquiry, he said: “The

impact is significant and unacceptable to the historic

landscape and views of Holderness Plain, which are protected by

local development policies.

“The turbines will be a blot on the landscape, which need

not, and should not, be there.”

But the developers claim the wind farm would bring a £5m

economic boost to the region.

David Goodman, representing RidgeWind Ltd, said any

negatives would be outweighed by the positives and there was a

need for greener forms of energy.

He told the inquiry: “It is clear the development will not

have a significant harmful effect.

“Any effects that may be adverse must be weighed with the

policy support for this form of development and the benefit it

would bring.

“It is evident those benefits far outweigh any adverse

effects.”

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has warned the

plans could endanger aircraft flying over the region.

In the Ministry's statement to the inquiry, Squadron Leader

Neal Henley said he believed the turbines could interfere with

radars, which were vital in guiding aircraft and identifying

potential threats.

He explained the Air Surveillance and Control System

(ASACS), which uses the radars, helped avoid mid-air

collisions.

Sqd Ldr Henley said: “It is assessed the proposed wind farm

developments at Hall Farm would have an unacceptable impact

upon the operations controlled by the ASACS force.

“Therefore, the MoD strongly objects to the proposed wind

farm as it will jeopardise both air surveillance and the safe

control of aircraft.”

The public inquiry into the proposed wind farm at Routh

continues.