PLANS to build two giant £2.5m wind turbines on the outskirts of Oxford provoked a mixed reaction at a public exhibition.

Oxford City Council wants to put up turbines in Horspath and Cutteslowe Park making it the first local authority in England and Wales to generate wind energy on its own land.

The 2.5 megawatt turbines – measuring a maximum of 130m to the blade tip – would each generate enough electricity to power 1,200 homes .

More than 150 people scrutinised plans as part of a three-day community consultation run by Partnership for Renewables, a Government created body seeking private sector funding to build turbines on public sector land.

Alan Barlow, 50, a technician at King Alfred’s Community and Sports College in Wantage, visited the consultation at Oxford’s Town Hall on Thursday.

He said: “Turbines are a good idea and we should have one in every single town and village across the county.

“I know some people object to them, but in 10 years time, with the way things are going, we could well have energy shortages. This is a way to stop that. It is the way of generating electricity in the future.”

But Dr Harold Reading, 85, a retired geology lecturer at Oxford University said he thought turbines would spoil the city’s landscape.

Mr Reading, who lives in Upper Wolvercote, close to the planned Cutteslowe turbine, said: “All my life I have conserved energy, but I’m against wind turbines because, as an environmentalist, I think they blot the landscape.”

Graham Jones, chairman of the Friends of Cutteslowe Park, said: “We haven’t taken a definite position yet, but we need to be convinced that any wind turbine isn’t going to be detrimental for park visitors and residents.”

Although the turbine for Cutteslowe Park would sit in a wooded area away from the football pitches and playground, 22 objections were raised when the matter came before the north area committee earlier this month.

Mr Jones said residents’ concerns included the visual impact of the turbines, noise and impacts on local wildlife.

Wolvercote city councillor John Goddard said: “I’m in favour of the principle, but whether it goes there or not should depend on whether they can find a suitable place.”

Jo Reeves, spokesman for Partnership for Renewables, said: “We are interested in developing only those sites that are appropriate, all factors considered.”

Depending on investigations at the sites and the result of wind mast readings, the earliest a planning application could be submitted is spring next year.