DEVELOPERS say they are still listening following the last of three public consultation events over a plan which could see England’s biggest wind farm built in the region.

Energy firm E.ON spent three days last week gathering views on a scheme for up to 45 wind turbines on a site called the Isles, about 1.5 miles east of Newton Aycliffe.

The firm is considering building either 29, 30 or 45 turbines – the largest of which could generate 115MW of electricity a year and contribute about £1m a year in business rates, as well as £460,000 to a community fund.

Many who attended the meeting at Sedgefield Racecourse on Friday are against the proposal that could net the German firm £575m, more than half of which is made up of subsidy.

Sedgefield town councillor Dudley Waters said: “There is a group of people who are against the wind farm that are very outspoken, but what the other people think is unclear.”

One man who attended a consultation in Chilton and Windlestone Workingmen’s Club, the following day, said: “I still haven’t made my mind up. There’s a lot of information out there and it’s hard to know who to believe”.

The first meeting took place in the Xcel Centre, Newton Aycliffe, on Thursday, where several people criticised the scheme.

E.ON said the consultation process will continue until October 7, whereupon the firm will go forward with its preferred option.

The application will be made to the Infrastructure Planning Committee, an independent body, but the final decision will be made by the Secretary of State, in an estimated two years’ time.

E.ON’s questionnaires are available from Chilton, Ferryhill, Shildon, Newton Aycliffe and Sedgefield libraries, or people can give their views by visiting eon-uk.com/theisles, or by calling 08000-961199.