The Government 'recognises' Daventry district's problems over wind farm proposals, but does not offer any real solutions, said the leader of Daventry District Council (DDC).

Back in July, DDC wrote to the Government asking for guidance on how it should deal with a proliferation of ‘speculative' proposals for wind farms in the local area.

So far DDC has received planning applications for wind farms at Watford Lodge and Yelvertoft. There are also proposals for turbines at Lilbourne and near Winwick.

Replying to the council, the Rt Hon Lord Hunt of Kings Heath, Minister of State at the Department of Energy and Climate Change, said: "You make the point that clearer leadership is required on the issue of sustainable energy and what installations are actually needed, including a National Energy Infrastructure Plan.

"I agree we need to show clear leadership in this area, and while I agree there is more to do, I think we are going in the right direction."

Chris Millar, leader of the council, told the Daventry Express: "I think there is a recognition of the problems we have, but it doesn't really resolve anything.

"Our concern is that these developments appear to be speculative.

"We already have had the first applications come through. Our concern is the cumulative effect of multiple applications."

Adrian Snook, from Stop The Spin, which campaigns against the schemes, said: "My reaction is that it seems like the Government recognises there is a challenge here, but is not offering a solution."

Renewable energy generators, like wind farms, are given renewables obligation certificates (ROCs) for the amount of electricity generated.

Electricity suppliers are required by the Government to buy these ROCs to cover a certain percentage of their output, or pay to cover any shortfall.

The British Wind Energy Association admits ROCs skew the market by increasing demand for renewables.

Cllr Millar said: "The letter from the minister says the market should be allowed to determine where wind farms are commercially viable, but ROCs skew the market.

"I would have thought wind farms would be more cost-effective off-shore or near the coast.

"The council is not against wind farms but our area does not have high wind speeds, and you would have thought it would be better suited to agricultural energy generation, like biomass."