PART of Yorkshire is set to become the "wind farm capital" of England.

The Co-operative Group plans to develop a £15m wind farm in Goole.

It is the third wind-powered "green" electricity scheme to be unveiled in the Selby and Goole areas in the last six months.

Plans for a wind farm at Newland, near Drax, and one south of Goole are currently being considered by council planners.

The Co-op's Twin Rivers project comprises 14 wind turbines on Pasture Farm, Goole, which it owns.

The plans have been submitted to the East Riding of Yorkshire Council, following a year of environmental study and public consultation.

The plans include opening up footpaths on the land, creating a public access network which will connect surrounding villages, the wind farm and local conservation areas.

Co-op chiefs said they would continue to farm the 4,000 acres on the Pasture farm estate, working around the giant turbines.

They said the scheme would generate enough "clean" electricity to power 17,000 homes throughout its 25-year life.

It would also mean that more than 1m tonnes of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, would not be pumped into the atmosphere each year.

A Co-op spokesman said the Twin Rivers project would not only help meet demands for renewable energy but, linked with the nearby Blacktoft Sands Nature Reserve, would enhance local tourist potential.

He said: "Given the problems that face farming today, we are looking at other ways we can use the land to commercial advantage, as well as do our bit for the environment."

Selby District Council is still considering the application by Wind Prospect to build 14 wind turbines, each 300ft tall, at Newland, near Drax.

Updated: 11:07 Wednesday, December 17, 2003