Aircraft safety could be compromised by a proposed development of massive wind turbines, it is being claimed.

Officials at Leeds Bradford Airport say the 320ft high turbines could pose a risk to their radar system. And the protest group set up to fight the development is warning that lives could be lost if the scheme is allowed to go ahead.

The airport has made a formal objection to Harrogate Borough Council opposing the siting of eight turbines at Knabs Ridge on the A59 Skipton Road at Felliscliffe.

In their letter to the council airport officials have voiced their concerns about the clearance over the highest point of the turbines and the theoretical risk to the radar system. Although neither the council nor the airport were willing to discuss the details of the letter, both confirmed that the objection had been made.

In a letter sent to the council in 2003 airport officials warn: "The large rotating blades would produce severe disruption to radar signals, thereby effectively blanking out a large segment of the radar control provided by LBIA."

And in June this year an airport official wrote: "From the information provided in the pack of planning application documents I must conclude that the proposal has the potential to seriously affect continued safe aviation operations at LBIA in that it could seriously affect the effectiveness of our radar systems."

The concerns are being reiterated by the Nidderdale Against Wind Turbines action group.

Mark Grafton, a spokesman for the group, stressed: "Leeds Bradford Airport has written to Harrogate Borough Council objecting in the strongest possible terms."

He said: "There is a safety factor here in that planes flying into Leeds Bradford very often fly over the actual site area and it requires radar to bring them in.

"There is a gap between the top of the turbine and the radar beam of only about 34 feet - it is as near as that. And that is in good weather conditions. Therefore Leeds Bradford are obviously very seriously upset about this because in bad weather when they need the radar even more it may be affected."

"We are talking about a serious problem in bad weather. You may have a situation where aircraft are meeting each other."

Meanwhile the protest group is also warning about potential dangers to motorists on the road dubbed 'the most dangerous in Britain'.

The proposed site is next to the A59 Skipton to Harrogate road which was recently labelled the most dangerous in a report by the AA. With 43 deaths and serious injuries between the year 2000 and 2003, campaigners say the turbines would make the road even more hazardous.

Mr Grafton said: "It certainly is a factor to be considered. They could be a serious distraction to motorists. You also get the sun shining on the blades as they turn, and this blade glint can become a strobe effect."

Mr Grafton said the local parish councils were opposed to the turbines. And he said when Felliscliffe Parish Council carried out a survey around 85 per cent of the local population replied - with around 90 per cent of those opposed to it.

With the proposed site 200 feet higher than the centre of Harrogate he pointed out that the turbines would be visible from Ilkley, Leeds and York.

Campaigners say if the turbines are given the go ahead they could lead to the "rape of the countryside"- with a the possibility of a string of pylons to connect the supply to the National Grid.

The proposed wind farm is close to the edge of the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. And its effects on the landscape would be felt far and wide, according to objectors.

The scheme is described on the website of National Wind Power Ltd, which has submitted the application. The company says the wind farm would coexist with existing agricultural practices supporting farm diversification.

It says the turbines would have a combined maximum output of 10.4 megawatts - generating enough electricity to supply 7,000 homes for a year.

The Nidderdale Against Wind Turbines group is urging people throughout Yorkshire to send written objections to Harrogate Borough Council Planning Department before the end of the consultation period on September 6.

The Nidderdale action group can be contacted on 01423 770379, or by emailing nawt2004@hotmail.com .

A spokesman for npower renewables said : "The company has been undertaking a comprehensive programme of consultation including public exhibitions which were held before Christmas last year in both Kettlesing and Pateley Bridge, in order to both inform local people about the proposal and to discuss their views and ideas about the project.

"Leeds Bradford Airport currently has an objection lodged against the Knabs Ridge project. However, studies which are being undertaken by two consultants including, at the airport's request, one of the their own consultants, are ongoing.

"Evidence from the studies to date has been encouraging, and we will continue to liaise with the airport to ensure that aircraft safety is not compromised."