Plans to build a wind turbine at Hill Close Gardens in Warwick have sparked concern from residents in the area who feel it will be an "eyesore".

The £6,000 energy-saving equipment comes as part of the renovation work going on at the historic gardens, where a new environmentally-friendly 'resource centre' has been built.

It was meant to open to the public this summer but the centre will not be finished until Spring because the windows that had been delivered had been damaged in transit from Germany.

The whole scheme has been described by one objector as "making the most elaborate and expensive garden shed in the country" and he is also opposed to plans to build the turbine.

Seven residents living near the site have lodged complaints about the proposals, which will be heard by Warwick District Council's planning committee on September 20.

Ronald Malone, of Bowling Green Street, said: "It is sizeable structure for such a limited site and will be seen and heard by residents in nearby properties.

"I have registered my opposition to this ridiculous scheme and hope to save Warwick from an invasion of similar, unnecessary eyesores."

The turbine will be seven metres tall with rotor blades of two metres diameter.

Hill Close Gardens is in a conservation area which would normally render such plans unlikely.

But with increasing emphasis being placed by government on the need for sustainable energy they have been recommended for approval by district council officers.

Councillors will visit the site tomorrow (Saturday) to assess the possible impact a turbine might have in the area.

The gardens' trustees think it would be welcome addition to the £1.1 million centre, which has been created with the environment in mind.

A special heating system has been installed which means the power and light needed in the building can be taken from the ground rather than from burning fossil fuels.

Coun Christine Hodgetts (Ind, Warwick South) said: "The idea of the wind turbine is to generate any additional power which might be needed and it will help in making us carbon neutral.

"It is really an exciting time and producing a building that is so environmentally-friendly and low on running costs is a great achievement."

Project leader Chris Begg said: "The centre will be an example for the rest of the area to follow as to how we deal with the sustainability of energy and in what ways.

"The idea of using heat from the ground to warm the building is one example."

Three-quarters of the funding for the scheme has been supplied by the Heritage Lottery fund while the King Henry VIII Trust and the district council are among investors helping to finance the rest.