A POWER company will not have to set up a community fund as part of planning permission to create a wind farm.

However, the company, granted permission for the scheme, has promised to provide funding of £25,000 a year.

Members of Derwentside District Council's planning committee granted approval after learning more cash will be made available if a corporate community fund is not a stipulation.

Last year, the authority controversially gave HJ Banks, of Tow Law, approval to create 12 electricity-generating turbines on land between Satley, near Lanchester, and Tow Law, despite strong opposition.

At the recent meeting, several members raised concerns about whether the money would still be spent on projects in Satley if the condition was withdrawn.

Planning officer Tim Wheeler assured members money would be used to benefit the locality affected by the turbines, and that more cash would be accessible as it could attract match-funding from various organisations.

Councillor Atherley Edward Hodgson said: "We would be very silly to turn down more money.

"We should set up a committee, and members from the area affected should decide how the money is spent."

Assurances were given that that course of action would be taken and members agreed to remove the condition for the community fund.

The council, the power company and the County Durham Foundation will work together to apply for funding to enhance the environment in communities affected by the wind farm.

The 100-metre turbines will generate power for 13,400 homes in what is an £18m development.

The company had originally wanted to build 25 turbines, but scaled down the size of the project, which will be near the A68, after objections were raised.

Mel Caldwell, senior operations manager of the County Durham Foundation, said the wind farm would generate at least £24,000 a year for community projects, such as environmental improvements.

She confirmed the removal of the condition could mean even more cash for schemes.

She said: "We are working with Banks group and the council to decide on ways to access more money. There is a panel of people from the council who will decide where to spend it and local people will be consulted.

"The community will have its say."

* An independent councillor resigned his position last year after the original decision to allow a wind farm. Councillor John Pickersgill stood down minutes after the planning committee passed the plans.