APPROVAL of plans to virtually triple the size of the Burbo Bank off-shore wind farm has been sharply criticised by a Northwest Euro MP.

Last week secretary of state for energy and climate change, Ed Davey, granted consent for the development off the coast of Wirral in Liverpool Bay.

An additional 65 turbines may now be set up four miles out to sea, covering an area of 40sq km and each with a "tip height" of 770ft.

Danish energy company Dong, presently operating 30 devices in the area, welcomed the ruling.

But Paul Nuttall, UKIP deputy leader, said: "The existing wind farm of 25 turbines is already an eyesore and now this massive extension of 69 more will be a further blight on our seascape.

"Wind power has not only been shown to be an ineffective and expensive energy source but it adds to our power bills and all in the name of mythical climate change targets," said Mr Nuttall, UKIP deputy leader.

"Ironically the news that the go-ahead has been given coincides with government figures showing that the amount of electricity generated by wind farms has dropped by 20%.

"Despite hundreds more wind farms opening in the three months to June energy production was down a fifth on the same period last year.

"This vindicates our long-standing argument this power source is inefficient as wind is unreliable. There is no doubt in my mind that we should be harnessing tidal power, which is regular as clockwork."

He added: "It is also highly relevant that other new figures show  Britain will exceed the capacity needed to meet EU renewable energy targets by 15% and all projects in the planning system are surplus to requirements.

"It is regrettable that approval for the Burbo Bank extension has been given just ahead of those figures released by Energy Secretary Ed Davey, which appear to show there is actually no need for it.

"I hope that when Dong Energy, who are doing it for profits, aided by huge subsidies, and not out of altruistic concern for climate change, make a final investment decision on this extension, they just leave the project on the drawing board."

Brent Cheshire, UK chairman of Dong Energy said last week that the announcement is an "important step" in clearing the way for the company to make a final investment decision on Burbo Bank Extension.

Programme director Klaus Skoust Møller said: "I am delighted that we have received development consent which is a major landmark in the roll-out of this project.

"This news is a great result at a key point of a project which has been a well-planned and transparent from the beginning.”

The wind farms could cost up to £1bn each year in subsidies, but the Government said it would encourage firms to invest much more than that in low-carbon electricity generation.

Although all planning hurdles now have been successfully cleared by Dong, a Planning Inspectorate spokesman said the decision is still open to a legal challenge, which can be made "by anyone."