People opposed to plans for three 80m-high wind turbines are being encouraged to write to an MP about their concerns.

During a discussion on wind farms in the House of Commons, Skipton Tory MP Julian Smith told Charles Hendry, Minister for Energy and Climate Change, that he had concerns about some projects in North Yorkshire, such as the site at Chelker Reservoir near Addingham.

Four 45m turbines, installed by Yorkshire Water in 1992 to power pumping stations at Chelker and Lobwood, stand at the reservoir.

But statistics show they are only operating at 5.3 per cent of their capacity and in August Kelda Water, a sister company of Bradford-based Yorkshire Water, announced it wanted to replace them with three 80m turbines.

A protest group, PACT (Parishoners Against Chelker Turbines) has been set up to oppose the plans.

Mr Smith said he wanted to hear from residents. “I was pleased to be able to raise in Parliament the concerns of many communities across Skipton and Ripon over the future building of wind turbines,” he said. “If anyone has concerns over proposed developments I would be grateful to hear from them.”