Revised plans for giant wind turbines at Chelker Reservoir should be turned down, say parish councillors.

In a letter to Craven District Council and to every member of the planning committee, Draughton Parish Council lists concerns including the siting, size and appearance of the turbines.

Yorkshire Water wants to replace its outdated turbines at the reservoir – between Draughton and Addingham – with two new 410ft (125m) machines.

Its original plan, submitted earlier this year, had to be revised after it was discovered one of the turbine blades would have overshot a neighbouring farm. The company, which has moved the proposed site of that turbine by 12 metres, says it is in the interests of customers for it to generate renewable, cheap energy.

A Yorkshire Water spokesman said: “We are not supporters of wind power per se, only when we believe it is the most appropriate solution to our energy needs.”

The company says the turbines have been on the site for 17 years but provide just 15 per cent of energy needed to power the reservoir.

“The two new turbines are much more efficient and technologically advanced,” it says. “We have two large pumping stations nearby and the proposed turbines will generate 80 per cent of the annual electricity needs for these sites.”

But Draughton Parish Council says Yorkshire Water has no regard for public safety or guidelines for wind farms.

It states: “We are most concerned that, if the application is approved, not only will it seriously affect the lives of people living close by but, flying in the face of so many of the normal planning guidelines as it does, it will also set a dangerous precedent for the consideration of other wind farm planning applications in the UK.”

The council acknowledges that it is difficult for the district council to refuse a scheme which appears to be in line with Government policy, but asks councillors to consider the needs of Craven people.

“We would submit that the rights of the few should be heard and their needs should outweigh the business case of the large, corporate body, however well made, viable and in line with overall central government policies,” it says.

Craven District Council has not yet come up with a likely date when the application will come before its planning committee.