EAST Hampshire District Council has defended its plans to install a wind turbine and solar panels at its Penns Place headquarters. The idea is to generate enough electricity to power a DVD and display unit, which would in turn promote environmentally friendly energy and showcase services carried out by the authority. But, last month, Petersfield town councillors branded the scheme a "silly exercise" and said council tax would be better spent on other projects. Despite their criticism, the plan to build an eight- metre turbine and three photovoltaic panels was given the go-ahead at a meeting of EHDC's south planning committee. And it has been further endorsed by the council's building control manager, Keith Seeley. Responding to the town council comments, he said: "This project is to be part-sponsored by businesses and not completely funded by tax payers' money, a point I think which was missed by the town council planning committee. "With green issues becoming more important in these days of global warming, it's vital we don't miss an opportunity to educate people in ways they can reduce their impact on the environment." Featuring a flat-screen television and DVD player, the display will show documentaries about the benefits of environmentally friendly energy. The equipment itself will be in an open cabinet and will clearly show the wiring and workings of the renewable power supply, and how it is converted to a domestic supply. At April's committee meeting, Daryl Phillips, EHDC's head of planning, said that the project was meant to be an example of what could be achieved. Bob Ayer added: "It is absolutely right, proper and necessary that the council takes a lead role in this."