PLANS to build two massive wind turbines on a site near Selby are being opposed by officers at City of York Council.

The authority says it opposes the development because the size and location of the turbines would "harm the setting and historic character of York".

Councillors attending a planning and transport meeting next week will also be asked to reject the scheme because officers consider there is inadequate evidence to show that birdlife in nearby nature reserves will be protected.

Escrick Park would be the home of 364 feet twin towers if councillors at Selby give energy giant E.ON's plans the go-ahead. The plans are being dealt with by Selby District Council, but York has been consulted because the site is close to its boundary. The authority can only give a view on the application.

English Nature, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, the Campaign To Protect Rural England and conservationist David Bellamy have also expressed concerns about the application.

A report written by City of York Council area team leader Roger Armistead, argues that the site, which is about two miles from the York boundary, would have "considerable visual and other impact on this part of the Vale of York".

He writes that the masts, which would be almost double the size of York Minster, would have "a substantial and harmful effect on the setting of York, and will harm the purpose of including all of that adjacent land, which is within York, within the York green belt".

He argues that, while the council should express its support for the principle of proposed wind farms, the authority should oppose the development because it could harm the city.

Meanwhile, E.ON, which has been granted permission to build a temporary mast on the proposed wind farm site by Selby District Council, is to hold a new public exhibition to give residents a chance to find out more about the proposed scheme.

The plans will be revealed at Skipwith village hall, on Thursday - the day York councillors consider their objections - from noon to 8pm.

E.ON says the turbines, if approved, would be able to generate enough power for about 2,300 homes. A trust would also be set up that could hand out more than £5,100 to local groups and organisations during the lifetime of the wind cluster. The temporary wind monitoring mast will be put up later this year.

No one at the Escrick Park estate, which owns the land where the two turbines would be sited, was available for comment.

Updated: 09:32 Saturday, February 05, 2005