A WIND farm has won planning permission despite opposition from residents and countryside enthusiasts.

Derwentside District Council has approved the construction of four wind turbines at Long Edge, Burnhope, near Stanley.

The energy generators will be more than 100 metres high to the tip of their blades, higher than existing turbines at Wagtail Lane, near Craghead.

The 2.75 megawatt turbines will operate on the site for at least 25 years. The maximum output will be 11 megawatts, enough power for about 7,050 homes.

The nearest homes to the development are Try'Em All Farm and Langley House West - just over 500 metres away.

Objections to the turbines were lodged by four Burnhope residents and Burnhope Parish Council. They raised fears about the scheme's impact on the ecology and wildlife of the area as well as the possibility of television interference, which is experienced by people who live near wind farms elsewhere.

Chester-le-Street Ramblers' Association also opposed the development.

A spokesman said: "To many who enjoy the countryside for leisure and recreation, including walkers, ramblers, cyclists, bird and wildlife watchers, the turbines will be an unwelcome and gross intrusion. While we support measures to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emission, we believe wind turbines do not make a significant or worthwhile contribution.

"We submit that the minimal green energy benefits from this proposal do not justify the substantial harm to the landscape which would be created."

Members of the planning committee approved the scheme on the condition that the applicant EDF Energy makes a donation to a council community fund to benefit the area.

The amount is likely to be £11,000 a year for the next 25 years, totalling £275,000, to go towards schemes to enhance the local environment.

The council's development control manager Tim Wheeler said: "The site and surroundings are an attractive area of countryside but not subject to any landscape or ecological designations.

"The turbines have been carefully sited not to give rise to unacceptable levels of noise at the nearest residential properties when assessed against well-recognised standards for wind farms.

"Other matters have been taken in to account but there are none of sufficient weight to justify a refusal of this application."