The turbines would be situated off the coast at Teesside

EDF Energy wants to build the 30 turbines 1.5km off the coast of Redcar which would generate enough electricity to power 72,000 homes.

But some residents say it is too close to the shore and they are meeting on Saturday to discuss the proposals.

An EDF Energy spokesman said an environmental impact statement would be published next week.

East Redcar residents' association chairman Malcolm Burton said the positioning of the wind farm was their main concern.

He said: "What we really want is to put it five miles out at sea.

'Consultation exercise'

"At 1.5km, the turbine installation will be too near the shipping lanes, near the migration of birds and there really will be a lot of noise.

"It could also affect the radar and the resale of property in Redcar."

However, EDF Energy said any site chosen takes into account shipping and the geology of the area.

The spokesman said all the concerns had been examined in the extensive consultation which has taken place over the past year.

He said: "The consultation exercise has taken into account noise, shipping, any effects on marine life, and we have consulted with a number of organisations, including RSPB and English Nature.

"We held meetings with people in Hartlepool and Redcar last summer and listened to any concerns or questions people had.

"We took a group of people to High Hedley wind farm in County Durham so they could see for themselves exactly what a wind farm looks like and hear the extent of noise."

The public meeting will be held on Saturday at Coatham Memorial Hall in Redcar from 1330 GMT.