Plans for a wind turbine on Haworth Moor have been condemned by critics who said it would amount to "visual pollution".

Keyland Developments, the firm responsible for disposing of Yorkshire Water's surplus assets, has applied to build the structure at Middle Intake farm on the moors west of Haworth.

Richard Wilcocks, the acting chairman of the Bront Society, said the site chosen for the wind turbine was completely inappropriate.

The land is currently occupied by the ruins of an old farm building.

Under the plans, the building would be completely renovated to provide accommodation.

"The farm has been part of the scenery for many, many years," said Mr Wilcocks.

"The society doesn't have an official policy on wind turbines but a lot of our members are very concerned about changes to what is a heritage landscape.

"I am sure most of them would not want to be branded as anti-ecological.

"It's just that there is a place for wind turbines and it isn't here."

He said the structure would be right next to a public footpath which leads towards the Bront waterfall and Top Withens.

"It would also be adjacent to open moorland on two sides so it would be extremely prominent," he said.

"It would stick out like a sore thumb and would be visual pollution."

Alexandra Lesley, heritage and conservation spokeswoman for the Bront Society, said: "To redevelop the site of the ruin would, we feel, run counter to the current thinking of conservation bodies throughout the country.

"They are seeking to expand areas of natural beauty and historic interest rather than fencing in smaller and smaller areas.

"While the applicant for the proposed development does not view the location as being of local conservation value, despite the fact that it is on the boundary of a special protection area, we must differ."

A spokeswoman for Yorkshire Water said the proposed turbine would not be a major eyesore.

She said it would only be used to provide renewable power for the original farm building, which would be restored for residential purposes.

She said the turbine would be six or seven metres high and its blades would have a diameter of two metres.

However, an author who has written about the area and lived in the Worth valley for many years echoed the Bront Society's views.

Peggy Hewitt, 71, who now lives near Settle, wrote 'Bront Country: Lives and Landscapes".

She said: "This piece of countryside is inspirational to people all over the world.

"Putting a turbine there would be an act of vandalism and it's quite unnecessary.

"I'm writing to Keighley Town Hall to object. I'd chain myself to the railings to oppose this.

"Although I live near Settle at the moment I have lived and worked on or near the Haworth Moors for most of my life and feel they should be protected, not vandalised," she said.