A proposal to upgrade a wind farm on the Lizard peninsula has taken a step forward with the submission of a planning application to Kerrier district council.

Cornwall Light and Power, which owns and operates the site at Goonhilly, wants to replace the 14 existing wind turbines with six larger, more modern structures.

The Helston-based company says the "repowering" would produce emissions-free electricity for almost four times the number of households currently served by the wind farm, which began operating in 1993.

The proposed turbines would have a hub height of up to 67 metres, a tip height of up to 107 metres and would revolve at between 10 and 20 revolutions per minute - significantly less than the current turbines, which operate at 35 revolutions per minute.

Extensive consultation has been undertaken with the local community and bodies including RNAS Culdrose, who have raised no objections to the new taller turbines.

The air base has requested that red, low intensity obstacle lighting be fitted to the turbines, but this will not be visible from the ground.

The project is likely to cost close on £20 million and, if the planning application is approved, it is hoped the new turbines could be constructed and operational by the summer of 2009.

Neil Harris, chief executive of Cornwall Light and Power, said: "We have been very much encouraged by the local community's support to date and their commitment to reducing The Lizard's dependency on imported electricity generated from fossil fuel and nuclear power.

"It is essential that we continue to keep local residents informed of progress relating to this project and for this reason we're keen that people let us know what they think about our plans, which are available for everyone to access."

Detailed plans can be viewed at the Kerrier council headquarters in Camborne or at Cornwall Light and Power's office at 58, Coinagehall Street, Helston.

Further details of the project are available online at www.clpwindprojects.co.uk.