A CAMPAIGN has been launched to oppose a massive windfarm development off the North-East coast.

The move follows a meeting attended by more than 70 people to discuss plans for 30 wind turbines.

EDF Energy wants to build an offshore windfarm, off Coatham Sands, Redcar, east Cleveland, with 400ft turbines capable of generating enough energy to power 72,000 homes.

Redcar MP Vera Baird, who chaired the meeting at Redcar's Memorial Hall, said there was a resounding "No" to the proposed development.

A campaign committee was established to oppose the farm and raise a petition.

She said: "More than 20 residents spoke, many to huge applause, expressing the views that this is another attempt to dump on Redcar. Some spoke of the lovely sea view, which is our best asset.

"A representative of Teesmouth Bird Club said migratory birds pass along a narrow corridor just offshore and cannot see the movement of sails, which rotate at speeds of nearly 100mph.

"The nearest turbine should be 13km offshore and this proposal puts 30 in the centre of this corridor and will butcher thousands of precious birds.

"An engineer, who raised issues of noise, weak technology, expensive electricity, said the site had been picked because it is cheap to cable the electricity a short way."

EDF Energy said the Redcar location was chosen because of the good wind resource and other factors, including shipping lanes and water depth.

The company will apply for consent from the Department of Trade and Industry following the completion of an environmental impact assessment, by the end of March.