plans to build eight 320ft wind turbines have been approved by a Government inspector - despite fears they would interfere with an airport's radar.

The proposals for Knabs Ridge, near Harrogate, North Yorkshire, were criticised by Leeds-Bradford International Airport, which said the turbines would create intermittent clutter on radar screens.

There were also objections from botanist David Bellamy, and the Ramblers Association.

Harrogate Borough Council refused permission but applicants Npower Renewables, formerly National Wind Power, appealed against the decision, saying the scheme would supply the annual average domestic electricity for 7,000 homes.

The site lies alongside the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is close to the US listening base at Menwith Hill.

A planning inquiry took place last month and yesterday planning inspector Graham Self allowed the appeal and granted permission subject to 20 conditions.

He said: "The proposed development would have some harmful effects on the landscape and in other visual respects, such as spoiling the view from residential properties.

"Any adverse impact on aviation, with particular reference to operation at Leeds-Bradford International Airport, would be minor, and not such as to justify refusing planning permission."

The decision was met with dismay by the borough council.

Councillor Richard Cooper, cabinet member for planning, said: "This decision flies in the face of common sense. For a Government inspector to come to our district and ignore all the good planning reasons why these towering metal structures should not be allowed is a smack in the face to local people and the local council. Even safety fears voiced by the country's top aviation authority over the effect on air traffic radar were shunted aside.

"A large number of conditions have been attached to the Government inspector's planning permission but even these cannot really mitigate against such massive turbines set against such a picturesque and beautiful background."