Residents fear plans for wind monitoring masts near their homes are merely a blueprint for large wind farms.
An application by Energy Workshop Ltd to install a 50m-high anemometer pole at Airy Holm Plantation, Kiln Pit Hill, for 36 months was deferred for a site visit by councillors at a meeting in Hexham.
The area has already been earmarked as a possible site for a wind farm, including up to seven turbines, by energy company Npower Renewables.
Almost 30 letters of objection were sent to Tynedale Council from concerned residents who questioned the need for a wind-monitoring mast if the area had already been identified as suitable.
Adam Wright, of Unthank, a hamlet near Shotley Bridge and close to the proposed anemometer site, said: "My objections are not necessarily over this 50m-high temporary mast but more the lifetime of problems from wind turbines, which is what this is all leading up to."
Energy Workshop has submitted the application on behalf of Npower and a spokesperson said: "There are no concerns over wind speed in this area but we do need at least one full year's worth of wind speed data."
