Plans to build a wind turbine in Great Harwood are set to be refused because of the ‘direct impact’ on air traffic radar systems.

NATS, the UK’s leading provider of air traffic control services, has objected to a planning application by wind turbine specialists DC21 Group to place a 24.8m turbine at Belmont Farm on Clinkham Road.

Documents sent to Hyndburn council show the proposed development has been examined by NATS operational and safeguarding teams and found the technical impact to be ‘unacceptable’.

More than 20 letters of objection from local residents have also been sent to the council including a 38-signature petition.

They claim the turbine would have a negative visual impact, affect wildlife, devalue properties and ‘create a precedent’ for other turbines.

They also said there is only a ‘private economic benefit’ and local businesses would ‘suffer’.

Under the scheme the electricity generated by the 36.6m blade tip turbine would off-set the energy usage of the farm and also be sold to the National Grid.

The scheme has been recommended for refusal by Hyndburn council planning officers.

In documents produced for a committee meeting they said: “The proposed development would have a direct impact on the operational effectiveness of the St Annes radar and Air Traffic Control radar at Prestwick, leading to desensitisation of radar and loss of usable air space.

“The proposed turbine, by reason of its scale and siting, is considered to lead to substantial harm arising from inappropriate development in the Green Belt.

A spokesperson for DC21 Group said they are hopeful of persuading councillors go against planning officers recommendations and approve the scheme and said the objection from NATS is based on a misunderstanding of the turbines location.

The proposal is due to go before the planning committee on Wednesday, June 24.