VILLAGERS who want to express their views about a planned wind farm near their homes will be given a full open public meeting to do so.

Plans for a ten-turbine wind farm on land at Moor House Farm, to the north-east of Darlington, were submitted last week.

Banks Developments made their application more than a year after the firm first announced its proposals.

It has caused wide debate in a number of neighbouring villages, which could be on the doorstep of two other wind farms.

In Sadberge, one of those villages which could be surrounded by up to 30 turbines, more than three-quarters of residents polled were in opposition to wind farms.

The parish council has also previously pledged to mount a "vigorous campaign" against any farms.

In an addendum to its parish plan, it has demanded no wind turbine be built within 1km of any house, and none within 1.5km of settlements of ten or more homes.

Parish council chairman Millie Scaife said she did not expect the parish council's position would change.

A meeting of the parish council takes place on Tuesday, when the planning application will be discussed.

However, council clerk Alastair Mackenzie expected a meeting in December or possibly January would be dedicated to the plans because the application was on a 16-week determination period.

He said: "The plans is to discuss the plans in Tuesday's meeting and discuss the arrangements for making our comments.

"Within a week we will put out a flyer to residents in the village. The plans will also be available to view in the village hall and on our website."

He said the provisional plan would be to clear all other council agenda so that residents could fully discuss the plans at a future meeting.

Mr Mackenzie said the council would also discuss an independent report which highlighted the effect of wind farms on Sadberge and surrounding villages.

A campaign group, Seven Parishes Action Group, has also been formed as a result of a series of applications in the area.

If approved, the Moor House scheme could be the first wind farm in the Darlington borough.

However, there is a separate scheme for ten turbines at Mordon, in County Durham, which is due before planners soon.

There are further proposals for up to 12 turbines at Newbiggin, for which plans have yet to be submitted with the council.