A MINI wind turbine could be built at Tesco in Beccles, which bosses say would promote green energy to shoppers and cut energy costs.The company wants to build a 10.

A MINI wind turbine could be built at Tesco in Beccles, which bosses say would promote green energy to shoppers and cut energy costs.

The company wants to build a 10.6m high wind turbine near the entrance to the main area of the car park.Tesco chiefs say the turbine would generate up to 6kw of energy and reduce the store's operating costs by a “small” amount.

They believe the white-painted turbine would become a landmark and encourage people to think about green issues.

A planning application submitted to Waveney District Council states: “The proposed development… would not have an unacceptable impact on residential amenity in terms of noise or visual amenity. It will also act as a landmark for the area and will encourage people to think about green issues.”

Unlike the giant turbine at Lowestoft, which has traditional pointed rotor blades, the mini version's blades would be 3.3m in diameter and swivel on a vertical axis. The construction would take up the area of two car parking spaces and have a lifespan of 15 years.

Green Party district councillor for Beccles North Graham Elliot

supported the application in principle.

He said: “Six kilowatts is peanuts compared to the power Tesco will be consuming, but if every building produced most of its electricity then the grid would be more balanced and we wouldn't need very large centralised power stations.

But he added: “My only reservation is their motivation.”

Tesco has also submitted a separate application to lift a restriction so it can open a pharmacy at the Beccles store. Bosses at two pharmacies in the town are unhappy with the proposal.

Waveney District Council's planning committee is yet to make a decision on the two applications.