An application by the German generator, submitted to Selby District Council on Friday, is being assessed by planning officers for 14 125-metre high wind generators on land between West Haddlesey and Birkin.

Angry campaigners claim "ugly windmills" on their doorstep would destroy an idyllic village view, and they will continue to oppose the project.

Renewable energy consultant for Prowind, North Energy director Bill Lowther, said: "We aim to have these plans on display in local libraries, council offices and other buildings once they've been checked by planning officers.

"During the past two years, we've looked at the impact a wind farm would have on the environment, aviation, residents in the area and other factors.

"There's opposition to this and we've done a lot of work to try and minimise it throughout the design process. Of 3,000 people we invited to view plans, about 400 responded and many were in favour.

"As part of our research, the number of turbines planned for West Haddlesey has reduced from 24 to 14, and each from 150 to 125 metres high. Also, plans for 11 turbines near Hambleton have reduced to seven."

Angry anti-wind farm campaigner Howard Ferguson, who lives close to the proposed Wood Lane site, blasted: "This isn't wanted by the majority of people in this area. We've held a public meeting and canvassed people on this, and the vast majority have opposed it."

His sentiments were echoed by local Tory election choice Nigel Adams, who said wind farms are a viable form of renewable energy but the two schemes proposed for Selby district would be sited at inappropriate locations.

But Selby MP John Grogan welcomed the scheme.

He said: "There's a role for wind energy in Selby district. But I've said all along I would look at each wind farm application and make an assessment on their viability only after seeing each one."