Planners have recommended proposals for a 34-metre-high wind turbine on green belt land in Denholme should be approved.

Omega Proteins had applied for the device for its animal-rendering plant based at Erling Works in Half Acre Road.

Twenty residents objected to the scheme, along with Denholme Town Council and Shipley MP Philip Davies.

Commenting at the start of the latest meeting of the Keighley & Shipley Area Planning Panel, chairman Councillor Doreen Lee stressed the issue did not relate to smells from the rendering plant or lorries transporting animal waste.

Council planning manager Ian Wilson told panel members the new turbine would only have a “minor” impact on the landscape, as the surroundings are already characterised by tall structures, such as existing wind turbines and electricity pylons.

“It is not considered the addition of another wind turbine on this site would result in the landscape character changing to one that has become over-dominated by wind turbines,” he said.

Responding to fears the turbine could spread smells from the rendering plant, he said: “There is no reason to believe this would have any effect on smells.

“Wind turbines are moved by the wind but they don’t move the wind themselves.”

Marilyn Brichard, the agent for Omega Proteins, said the council officer’s report had been very comprehensive, and was satisfied it answered concerns. The plans will now go before Bradford Council’s regulatory and appeals committee.