PLANS to build two wind turbines at a Tesco in York were today set to be given the green light by councillors.

Tesco has applied to City of York Council to put up the 10.6-metre high, six kilowatt turbines in the car park of its supermarket at Askham Bar, off Tadcaster Road.

A statement accompanying Tesco's submission said the turbines - which would have a rotor diameter of 3.3 metres - would provide Tesco with energy from a renewable source, and would be of benefit to the environment.

The statement said the cream-coloured turbines would reduce the supermarket's energy costs, act as a landmark for the area, and encourage people to think about green issues, such as renewable energy and recycling.

It said: "The proposed development would not have an unacceptable impact on residential amenity in terms of noise or visual amenity.

"Although it is acknowledged that the proposed turbines would be visible, it has been demonstrated, given their height, scale and colour treatment, they would not have any significant detrimental impact to adjacent uses/buildings, or on the surrounding landscape character.

"If the development were consented, the proposal would contribute and show a commitment in reaching the UK target of ten per cent of electricity supply from renewable energy by 2010."

The statement said the size and scale of the turbines would enable the machines to draw as much energy as possible from the wind. It said the proposed locations had been chosen to benefit from southerly winds.

A City of York Council report, which has recommended that councillors approve the scheme, said the turbines would not be visually intrusive or dominant in that location.

It said: "They would be compatible with the nature of the surrounding developments, and would not significantly harm the outlook from the neighbouring housing."

The council's west and city centre area planning sub-committee was set to give the plans the thumbs- up at a meeting today in The Guildhall, York.

Coun Tom Holvey, who represents Dringhouses and Woodthorpe, has backed the move. He said "I think it's great for the environment and I think it's good that big companies are taking steps towards helping climate change."

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