A SCHEME for the massive expansion of the Burbo Bank wind farm shows turbines with blades that will sweep an area bigger than Wembley Stadium while the overall structures will be taller than the London Gherkin.

Denmark-based Dong Energy unveiled its proposals last week seeking to quadruple the size of the wind farm four miles off the Wirral coast.

The development would mean the off-shore plant could be capable of generating 250 megawatts of electricity - enough to power 170,000 homes.

The company has released further details of the proposals showing three scenarios for development; the three are listed below.

One of these - "Scenario No 2" - shows the turbines having a "hub height" of 110 metres and a rotor diameter of 164 metres.

That means the overall height of the structure will be a towering 192 metres, 630ft.

The Gherkin - the popular nickname for the futuristic office block opened in 2004 at London's St Mary Axe - stands at 180 metres, 591ft.

The pitch at Wembley with a width of 69 metres would be dwarfed by the rotor blades' diameter.

And because the extension will have the capacity of more than 100 megawatts, it is considered to be a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project, so its future will be decided in Westminster.

Any application for such a large scheme in England and Wales is now considered by the Infrastructure Planning Commission.

The IPC works with a wide range of public bodies which are "statutory consultees" in the new process. This includes local authorities which can "provide feedback."

The Secretary of State will make the final decision on the plan.

Wirral Labour group leader Cllr Steve Foulkes said: "As a council we have been touting for this business so it would be churlish now to start complaining about it.

"Local firms such as Cammell Laird very probably would be involved in construction of the turbines.

"It would perhaps be better if there was more local involvement in the planning process.

"Under the old system at least we would have had a strong regional voice in these issues, although the size of this scheme would almost certainly have meant the Government would have needed to call it in for final decision in any event."

Dong is holding a series of public consultations next week.

The first is Friday, May 20, from noon till 6pm at the Floral Pavilion. Marine Promenade, New Brighton.

The next is Saturday, May 21, at the same times at Hoylake Community Centre, Hoyle Road.

Members of Dong's project team will be available to answer questions and discuss the proposed plans and options.

The deadline for receiving comments from this first round of consultation is July 15.

The second stage of consultation will take place in early 2012 with a deadline for comment of June 1.

Scenario No 1: 64 wind turbines with a 3.6 megawatt capacity, a rotor diameter of 120 metres and a hub height of 90 metres. (Same type already installed at Burbo Bank)

Scenario No 2: 36 wind turbines with a 7 megawatt capacity, a rotor diameter of 164 metres and a hub height of 110 metres. (Overall height of 192m)

Scenario No 3: 69 wind turbines with a 3.6 megawatt capacity, a rotor diameter of 120 metres and a hub height of 90 metres.