RESIDENTS have expressed fears over the size of five huge wind turbines after their first view of how they would appear on the Derbyshire landscape.

West Coast Energy, the company behind the scheme, said the 126m (413ft) turbines proposed for Matlock Moor at a cost of £16m would generate enough electricity to power 7,000 homes every year.

It has formed a subsidiary called Derbyshire Wind Energy Limited to develop the scheme and held a consultation event at Matlock’s Imperial Rooms, where residents were invited to view the plans.

The wind farm, if given approval, would take about six months to build and would be completed by 2012. It would be   3km northeast of Matlock.

Derbyshire Wind Energy said local companies would be able to bid for construction contracts worth around £3m and that between 20 and 30 jobs would be created.

Tom Gibbs, 74, of Slack Hill,  near the proposed site, saw the plans with his wife Pam.

“I am neither anti or pro the plans at the moment,” he said.

“It will be 2012 when we get them and I will be nearing my 80s by then.  I would rather see the landscape without them.”

Mrs Gibbs said: “I think if there is going to be wind farm that is quite a good place to build one.”

A 55-year-old man, who also lives near the site and did not want to be named, said the turbines  would be seen from his house.

He said: “I don’t want to look out of my window and see five, 30-storey wind turbines.

“I am also concerned about the effect that it will have on tourism. There are two holiday cottages up there and it might have a detrimental effect.”

A 28-year-old woman, who also did not want to be named, said: “I am all for renewable energy  because I think it is important but they are absolutely massive. We will be able to see and hear them from our house.”

The company claims the turbines could cut carbon dioxide emissions by up to 28,777 tonnes a year.

Matthew Hayes of West Coast Energy said: “By changing the way we generate and consume our electricity, we can make a significant difference to the levels of CO2 in the atmosphere, helping to prevent climate change.

“Matlock Moor Wind Farm has a valuable role to play in that fight.”

A planning application is due to be submitted to Derbyshire Dales District Council in the New Year.

Each of the turbines has a life-span of 25 years.

West Coast Energy is also behind plans to build four wind turbine generators and a sub station at Carsington Pastures.

A second consultation exhibition on the Matlock plans takes place on Thursday, December 11 at Ashover Parish Hall Events Centre in Milken Lane, from 3pm until 7.45pm.