PLANS for a North-East wind farm have been welcomed by a company set up to promote renewable energy sources.

Renew Tees Valley, which promotes renewable energy and recycling industries, said the approved development was another important step forward.

The five-turbine wind farm, at Royal Oak Farm, near Shildon, County Durham, was approved by Darlington Borough Council last week.

The plans were submitted by EDF Energy and construction will start as soon as the council has completed a final assessment, expected to be in December.

Renew Tees Valley chief executive Dr Dermot Roddy said the development of wind farms in the area would encourage opportunities in turbine manufacturing.

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

"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 residents' action group was formed to try to prevent the development going ahead, and 23 letters of objection were received by the council.

Consultations between the planning officers and the MoD are ongoing to ensure the wind farm does not interfere with radars at RAF Leeming, in North Yorkshire.