AN MP has backed villagers who are protesting against a plan to build a wind turbine.

A planning application to build a 78m-high turbine on land south east of Turners Arm Farm in Yearby, near Redcar, has been received by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.

The turbine would be about 700m from the nearest home and protesters are also unhappy it would be too close to a new crematorium.

Ian Swales, Liberal Democrat MP for Redcar, said: “I don’t often get involved in planning matters but I do feel strongly about turbines this size in such close proximity to housing. I opposed the Beacon Moor proposals and was glad to see the plans abandoned. I hope that the council’s Planning Committee will carefully consider the views of residents when a final decision is made.”

The turbine would power about 300 houses. Some villagers are worried that if permission was granted for one turbine applications to build more would follow and would be harder for the council to refuse.