Plans for a wind farm in rural Northumberland will interfere with aircraft-tracking radar at Newcastle International Airport, it was claimed last night.

Developer npower renewables has submitted plans for six turbines near Kiln Pit Hill, on the A68 near Slaley.

It is the second wind farm application Tynedale Council has received in less than a month - Amec plans 20 turbines near Kirkwhelpington.

Newcastle Airport officials confirmed last night that they were concerned about the Kiln Pit Hill plan because two of the turbines would be visible on their radar.

Head of air traffic control Chris Davis said: "The location is a critical area for the airport as this is where aircraft turn.

"The airport has carried out a hazard analysis and found that one turbine would not degrade the radar systems but an additional turbine that can cause radar interference is not acceptable."

Architect Steve Mcintyre, of Kiln Pit Hill House, said he was concerned about the impact of the wind farm on historic buildings in the area such as Grade II listed St Andrew's Church.

He said: "The church has been there since the 11th Century and attracts a number of visitors to the area."

Neighbour Andrew Thomson, of Unthank Farm, said: "This is going to spoil one of the gateways into Northumberland, where we are trying to promote tourism."

Joanna Thompson, the npower renewables' developer for the Kiln Pit Hill site, said: "Both of these issues are addressed in the environmental statement that is prepared by experts in advance.

"This forms part of the application to Tynedale and as such will be available to the public through Tynedale Council.

"The scheme is within an area outlined in the emerging regional spatial strategy as an area that is particularly suitable for wind farm development.

"If Northumberland is to meet its renewable energy targets, it is important that well designed, well planned schemes like this are given the go-ahead."