Newland villagers claim vibrations from wind farm HGVs are damaging their properties

Construction trucks are causing North Yorkshire villagers to fear for the safety of their homes.

Since building began on the 12 turbine Newland wind farm near Selby, heavy goods vehicles have been accessing the site by a narrow bridle path.

Villagers claim vibrations from the traffic have led to structural damage to properties and have called for a public meeting to voice their concerns.

Stephen Greenwood, clerk and chairman of Newland Parish Council, said the structural damage was only one of the problems.

He said: "Cracks have appeared on some walls, and there was a huge amount of traffic starting in the area in the early hours of the morning.

"The trucks were parking outside houses with their yellow lights flashing. Now they are laying stone in Quarter Gate Lane, and carrying lots more into the facility."

Selby District Council approved an access route which included New Lane, Brier Lane, Willow Lane and Rusholme Lane, but site developers were later granted an alternative route along Quarter Gate Lane, a bridle path beside residential housing.

A spokesman for developers Wind Prospect said the route was agreed by Selby District Council and designed to provide minimum disruption to the area.

He said: "We continue to work closely with the local council and the highways agency in minimising disruption during the construction phase.

"Wind Prospect and its site contractors have consulted with local residents at a number of stages during the development process, as well as responding to queries from individual residents."

Mr Greenwood said residents were still unhappy with the situation, and he was now planning a meeting with developers.

He said: "We'll be holding a meeting at Drax village hall at the end of March, with Wind Prospect, the contractors and the residents, so all our concerns can be heard." The date of the meeting has yet to be confirmed.