A NEW wave of wind turbines could soon be changing Southampton's skyline with the first design inspired by the iconic Spitfire.

The council is to start a consultation on building up to 20 of the medium-sized turbines, about 15- metres high, on commercial and industrial sites, in a bid to respond to climate change.

The first would incorporate a design reflecting the Spitfire heritage of the city with blades profiled like the propellers that made the RJ Mitchell aircraft iconic. It will be cased in a Merlin engine.

The turbine has been earmarked for the Woolston riverside site of the former Supermarine factory that built more than 8,000 thousand Spitfires.

Councillor Richard Williams, Cabinet member for environment and sustainability, said: "When it comes to innovation it is only fitting that we look at how we can commemorate and pay tribute to one of Southampton's greatest innovators - RJ Mitchell."

He said separate proposals for a permanent Spitfire memorial, long called for by campaigners, would be unaffected.

Cllr Williams said using wind power in Southampton was essential if the city was to meet its renewable energy goals.

He said they would be built by the private sector, subject to usual procurement procedures and feasibility studies, at no cost to the taxpayer.

Cllr Williams said they would generate enough electricity for up to 1,000 homes.

But council officers suggested that each turbine would generate a maximum electricity output for up 22 homes in high winds.

Cllr Williams said: "It's got to be a sizeable amount of sites to start with to get private sector interested.

If we can find more sites that's fantastic."

Dave Hutchings, director of Dorset-based Equinox Energy, which installs wind turbines, said a 15kW turbine with a 9-metre blade, usually put on a 25-metre mast, would provide power for just ten homes.

"They would be better to go for one big one. It's much better.

Apart from the fact people might object to it aesthetically," he said.

Southampton Test Labour MP Alan Whitehead recently wanted to put a micro-wind turbine on top of his home but ditched the idea after being told there wasn't enough wind.

Wind turbines need a wind speed of 4 to 5 metres per second (m/s) to start working.

A study by Southampton University found wind speeds in the eastern docks, one of the windiest parts of the city, only reached a high of 7.9m/s, with a low of 5.1m/s. A separate study is now being carried out by researchers into the performance of small to medium-sized turbines, which is largely unknown.

Plans for a giant wind turbine at a secret location on the northern edge of the city are still progressing.

It would generate enough power to supply 1,500 homes.

There are also plans to install small turbines at a Southampton school.