Yorkshire Water is still considering its options over the future of wind turbines at Chelker Reservoir, near Addingham.

Two of the four 20-year-old turbines have been out of order for some time and have had their blades removed.

Last year, the water company had its plans to replace the four with two 125-metre-high ones turned down by Craven District Council.

The council went on to refuse permission for another wind farm at Brightenber Hill, East Marton, a decision which was later upheld on appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.

A Yorkshire Water spokesman said the company was still considering its options and had not ruled out submitting a fresh application for Chelker.

“There are a whole host of discussions taking place behind the scenes with regard to the future of wind energy at Chelker Reservoir and whether this will result in a new planning application being submitted is not yet certain,” he said.

“Among the issues we are looking at are the council’s original reasons for refusal and whether these could be overcome if a fresh application were to be made.”

The spokesman added that the Chelker site was not the only one that the company was looking at as part of its regional investment strategy.

“It is tied up in discussions about the pros and cons of pursuing renewable energy at a number of our operational sites.”

An added complication is that Yorkshire Water does not own the site – which is actually owned by the Devonshire Estate.

“We need to consider the views of the Devonshire Estate and other key stakeholders,” said the spokesman.