A CAMPAIGN is underway to stop two wind turbines going up which could destroy views of Almscliffe Crag from Harewood House created by 18th century landscape architects Capability Brown and Thomas White.

The Earl of Harewood and the trustees of Harewood House Trust are among objectors to an application submitted to Harrogate Borough Council by renewable energy firm DC21 for a pair of 48m turbines to be installed 1.8km north west of the crag, near Rigton High Moor.

The application has been made on behalf of third generation dairy farmers Gary and Steven Swires, who own the land at High Moor Farm, Stainburn, who need the income from the turbines to allow the business to invest in new technology without financial pressure.

However, campaigning group Save The Dales, say the proposals equate to a commercial wind farm. More than 140 public comments - virtually all forceful objections - have now been made on the scheme online.

Christopher Ussher (((ok)))), chief executive of Harewood House Trust and resident agent of the Harewood Estate said their "serious and strong objection" was based on "historic, landscape and heritage grounds".

Another objector Terri Micallef, one of the closest residents and proprietor of Rigg Farm Montessori Nursery School, said: "This is a disgraceful and highly distressing situation; how could anyone genuinely try to convince the planning authority that this is a suitable location for what is in essence a commercial wind farm. The impact on my home, but more importantly the adjacent nursery school that I run, will be immense and is totally unacceptable, as will it be on the stunning landscape, the settings of Almscliffe Crag and Harewood House."

Gerry Smith, spokesman for the Save the Dales campaign group, said: "This area is regarded as being very much part of the stunning Yorkshire Dales. Let nobody be under any misunderstanding that these turbines are anything other than a commercial wind farm; their size is considerably greater than what one normally associates with 'farm' turbines - these will be massive. Nobody should standby and allow the disgraceful desecration of a valued and treasured area, for nothing other than the boosting the bank balances of those behind it."

However, project manager for the application, Charles Ashton, of DC21 said: "This is not a wind farm it is two small scale wind turbines to support a third generation dairy farm business which is struggling.

"The turbines will be sited three and a half km away from the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (ANOB) and they will not be visible from the ANOB. The nursery school is 500m away and they won't see the turbines as they will be screened by trees and there is no health or safety risk to the children. The visual impact will be negligible but the turbines will make a massive difference, in economic and employment terms to a business which is struggling."

He added: "These are farm based turbines and classed by landscape professionals as small scale, to the blade tip. All material planning considerations have been taken into account and they are in line with local and national planning policies."

The plan can be viewed on Harrogate Council's website, under details for planning application 15/01718/FUL.