ONE of the region's biggest wind farm projects is facing growing opposition from disgruntled residents.

Opponents have launched a campaign to stop the erection of 25 wind turbines between the A66 and Stang Forest, about six miles from Barnard Castle, in County Durham.

But residents of the area have only until Friday to give their opinions to the North-East Assembly offices in Newcastle.

The idea was included in an 80-page document issued early in October on renewable energy proposals for the region, but until yesterday few people in Teesdale had heard of it.

Jo Bird, an access officer for the Ramblers' Association and member of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England, told as many residents as she could about it after learning about it at the weekend.

Miss Bird, who lives at Stainton, near Barnard Castle, said: "I hope that anyone who is concerned to prevent damage to the Teesdale landscape by the impact of wind turbines will express their concerns before Friday.

"Teesdale's greatest asset is the beauty of its unique landscape. Let's keep it that way. I'm sure that many people will feel wind turbines will ruin some magnificent views. They should give their opinions before it is too late."

Miss Bird said she was speaking as an individual rather than for ramblers or the CPRE, but hoped both organisations would object once they discussed the proposal.

The document and a briefer version were sent to some organisations around the North-East and made available on the Internet, but Miss Bird said more effort should have been made weeks ago to advertise the proposal in the affected areas.

Anyone wishing to give a comment can send it to Caroline Oldridge, Policy Officer, North-East Assembly, Guildhall, Quayside, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3AF.

The Stang site is one of 14 sites in the region identified in the document at which wind farms could possibly be built before 2020.

Teesdale District Council discussed it last week and gave its support in principle to the plan for renewable energy, but suggested that other forms should be investigated, rather than just wind power.

Once the North-East Assembly has studied all the responses, it will issue a new draft next spring, giving a strategic planning framework for renewable energy in the region.

Four years ago, Elizabeth Mann, of Darlington, led a successful opposition to plans for a wind farm on Barningham High Moor, a few miles from Stang Forest.

She said yesterday: "Anyone with an opinion about the new proposal should send it in this week. Following the previous battle I know many people will oppose this. But if they do nothing it may be assumed that everyone is in favour of it."