WIND turbines planned for a scenic area in the heart of Northumberland would “overwhelm and destroy” the landscape, a public inquiry was told yesterday.

The four 125-metre-high turbines at Kirkharle were on an unjustifiable scale and would dominate and detract from the area, Paul Tucker QC said.

Mr Tucker, representing Northumberland County Council on the first day of a two-week inquiry, said the scheme devised by green energy firm RWE Renewables of Swindon would blight the life of residents in and around the Bavington Conservation Area.

The council accepted the principle of wind farm development and was “acutely aware” of national Government energy targets, Mr Tucker added.

“But this is an inappropriate development and undermines confidence in the low-carbon agenda,” he said.

“The applicants could in our opinion have designed a scheme which respects the area and protects its future.

“Turbines on this unjustifiable scale will dominate and detract from the area and replace it with a wind farm landscape.”