OPPONENTS of plans to build a giant windfarm near Gargrave in the Yorkshire Dales are appealing for funds to mount a legal challenge, a fight which could cost “tens of thousands of pounds.”

The five German-built wind turbines, each the height of Beg Ben, would dominate some of Northern England’s most beautiful scenery for 40 miles around, and the plans are already opposed by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and the local Craven District Council. The council has already refused planning permission but the German company EnergieKontor is appealing – despite an earlier promise that it would drop the plan if there were local opposition.

Angry local residents have formed the Friends of Craven Landscape (FOCL) to join the fight, worried that their objections will be brushed aside by the Government, which two weeks ago insisted that England needs 6,000 new onshore wind turbines.

FOCL have appointed a firm of specialist planners from Leeds to prepare their case and want to appoint a barrister to fight it – “both are vital but cost money,” says their official newsletter.

It adds: “This appeal will cost tens of thousands of pounds - money we don’t have. We can continue this fight only if we have the funds.”

• Any contributions to the fighting fund will be gratefully received at: FOCL,PO Box 46, Skipton, BD23 9DA