A public consultation over plans for 80 metre high wind turbines standing over the scenic Chelker Reservoir is to begin soon.

Kelda Water Services is planning to hold a public exhibition giving people living near the site a chance to learn more about what is being planned.

Kelda – sister company to Yorkshire Water – is expected to reveal details of its public consultation next week, and says it is looking forward to consulting with the local community.

The venue for the exhibition has yet to be revealed.

But the company says it does not plan to submit a planning application for the three turbines, replacing the existing 45 metre high turbines at the beauty spot, until after the consultation exercise.

A representative of the company gave a presentation to Addingham Parish Council last week The announcement of the company’s new plans has already generated opposition from communities living nearby.

A previous planning application for two 125 metre turbines was turned down by Craven District Council last year, which feared they would have an adverse impact on the landscape and residential amenity of the area, and would detract from the experience of visitors to the Yorkshire Dales national park.

A public meeting called by Draughton Parish Council recently voted unanimously to oppose the turbines plan. The council itself is expected to make its formal response to the scheme at a meeting today.

Addingham Parish Council, meanwhile, has yet to debate the scheme, but the chairman, Councillor Ian Taylor, is inviting villagers concerned about, or in favour of, the turbines, to contact the council if they wish to comment.

Addingham councillors took the decision not to make a formal comment on the previous Chelker turbines plan, as the location is outside the parish boundary.