MORE wind turbines could soon be erected in the hills above Huddersfield.

Planning officers from Kirklees Council have received an application to install a temporary meteorological monitoring mast at Scapegoat Hill.

It will gather information on weather conditions and wind speeds for 12 months.

The results will determine whether the land, next to Rockingstones Quarry on Quebec Road, is suitable for future wind power development.

Crosland Hill-based firm Johnsons Wellfield Quarries has applied for planning permission for the mast.

If approved it will be removed after a year.

The application put to the council states: “The applicants are investigating the potential for wind energy in the area.

“As part of these investigations and in accordance with government guidance, it is required to make an assessment of energy output by obtaining data on wind speed.

“The proposal would enable detailed data about the wind regime to be collected and would assist in the selection of the most appropriate wind turbine model for the site.”

The 25m test mast could be relocated if wind turbulence is recorded.

This could be caused by the neighbouring quarry, in which case the report says the location would be deemed unsuitable for a wind turbine.

The application adds: “Should this be the case then the mast would be moved further away, up to 100m, from the original mast position.

“But (this would be) within the application boundary and further monitoring would continue.”

The mast would be constructed using four galvanised steel sections and up to 350mm in width.

It would support meteorological equipment including an anemometer which measures wind speed and direction, a power source and a small transmitter to access the data remotely.

The application describes the siting as being in a ‘remote location’ and therefore not visually intrusive.

The mast height of 25m represents the potential hub height of the wind turbine considered to be the most suitable for the site.

By measuring the wind speeds at the height of future turbines it is possible to gain an accurate picture of their likely performance, particularly in terms of their energy production.

Any wind turbine development on the site would be subject to future planning approval.

The plan could signal more wind turbines for the area.

In 2009 councillors granted planning permission for two 18-metre turbines on land off Halifax Road.