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Wellington's western hills could be peppered with even more turbines as planning commissioners give Meridian Energy's Mill Creek Wind Farm the go-ahead.
However, some Ohariu Valley locals are incensed at the decision and are likely to appeal to the Environment Court.
Meridian Energy originally asked to erect 31 turbines but two of the 111-metre towers were rejected because they would have been too prominent and noisy for neighbours, leaving approval for 29.
A raft of conditions were imposed by the commissioners, including measures to minimise the impact of massive earthworks on waterways such as Ohariu Stream and the Makara Estuary.
Local farmer Mark Best said "it was tragic" that consent for the wind farm had been granted.
"This is going to cause devastation to my farm and to people at my end of the valley, and they couldn't give a stuff. There is no compensation. Nothing," he told the Dominion Post.
The wind farm would be the second for Wellington, with construction well under way on Project West Wind further south at Makara.
Mr Best said the move had split the community and he expected about 45 locals to appeal the decision to the Environment Court.
Meridian chief executive Tim Lusk was delighted with the consent.
- NZPA
