Plans for a massive windfarm capable of powering 40,000 homes have gone on public display in North Northumberland this week.

Npower Renewables has already submitted a bid to build two temporary meteorological masts at Middlemoor, to the west of the A1 between North and South Charlton near Alnwick, to check wind speeds.

Ultimately, the company wants to site up to 25 gigantic turbines there, each standing 120m high from base to blade tip - five times higher than the Angel of the North.

Blueprints for the development went on display in South Charlton village hall for the first time at the weekend, as part of what Npower says is an extensive consultation programme with the surrounding community. But even at this early stage, the prospect of what would be the biggest windfarm to be created in the region to date has generated controversy because of its scenic location overlooking the Cheviot Hills.

And the final decision on whether it gets the go-ahead is likely to be taken from local hands.

Because of its sheer scale, the decision is likely to be left to the judgment of the Department of Trade and Industry.

"It's a crying shame to have something like this spoiling such a beautiful view," said Charlton Hall farmer and holiday chalet owner Robert Thorp, whose family has been in the area over 150 years.

"It will be the first thing tourists see when travelling up the A1.

"The sad thing about it is that large developments like this are three-quarters of the way down the line to being approved before the public is consulted." A neighbour, who declined to be named, added: "They have already decided what will happen, as far as I am concerned."

Clare Wilson, NPower Renewables' development manager for the North, agreed that a wind installation of some form would be highly likely at Middlemoor and other sites outlined in the newly adopted Regional Spatial Strategy. "These and other proposed sites have been through a consultation process at regional level, and these locations are considered suitable for development," she said.

"That does not mean we can just come along and put up whatever we like. We have to prove that what we are proposing is appropriate for that particular site, but what it does say is that a windfarm of some varying degree will eventually be built there.

"That's unless we are presented with a show-stopper, and at this moment in time there doesn't seem to be one."

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