AN MP is backing residents in their fight to block plans for giant wind turbines.

Durham City MP Gerry Steinberg has contacted Durham City Council urging it to reject plans for two, 78m turbines at Old Quarrington.

The company behind the plans, Eco Energy, submitted them to Durham County Council, as part of a wider application to establish an opencast mine then restore the site for a hotel, fast food restaurant, pub and light industrial development.

After the county council turned the plan down, the firm lodged an appeal, which is due to be heard next year.

It has since submitted a separate application for the wind turbines, to be erected close to homes at either end of an escarpment, on farmland between Old Quarrington and the A1(M).

When the company originally suggested this, it provoked an outcry from residents, who were concerned that the turbines would be noisy and an eyesore.

The Bowburn Action Group was reformed to fight the plans for both the turbines and the opencast mine.

Mr Steinberg has added his weight to the opposition by expressing his objections before next month's meeting to discuss the latest application.

He said: "I have deep concerns about the negative impact of the turbines on the area and its residents, and believe that, if permitted, they would completely dominate the largely rural landscape and irrevocably damage the appearance and character of Old Quarrington.

"In principle, I support measures to introduce wind turbines in appropriate locations. However, the erection of two, 78m high turbines - with the additional impact of 40m blades - less than 400m from residents' homes, is not just unacceptable, it is intolerable.

"I have therefore urged the city council to refuse the application."

Local councillor Mike Syer, who chairs the council's development control committee, said he was keeping an open mind until he had seen the planning officer's report.

He said: "In principle, I'm in favour of sustainable energy, but as someone who lives locally, I have concerns about this."