Plans for a wind farm in County Durham will be welcomed tomorrow by a company set up to promote renewable energy sources.

Renew Tees Valley, which aims to maximise renewable energy and recycling industries, described the approved development as "another important step forward".

The wind farm, consisting of five turbines, was given the go-ahead by Darlington Borough Council last week.

The plans were submitted by EDF Energy and the construction work will start at Royal Oak Farm, near Shildon, as soon as the council's planning officers have completed a final assessment.

Chief executive of Renew Tees Valley, Doctor Dermot Roddy, stressed the development of wind farms in the area would help to encourage opportunities in turbine manufacturing.

"Although Royal Oak is a relatively modest project, when it is up and running it will produce around 6.5MW of electricity," he said.

"This is a very useful boost to the development of a thriving wind energy programme in the Tees Valley.

"We are already working with a wide range of companies who recognise our area has all the right facilities and expertise to lead the way in both onshore and offshore wind technology in Europe.

"The interest in the field is underlined by the fact that earlier this year we had 60 local companies attending a workshop to find out what is involved in both supplying components and providing erection and maintenance services in the wind power sector."

The wind farm has not been welcomed by all, however. A resident action group formed to try and prevent the development going ahead and 23 letters of objection were received by the council. Consultations between the planning officers and the MoD are still ongoing to ensure the wind farm does not interfere with the radar system at RAF Leeming.

The final assessment is due to take place in December.