The owner of Glyndebourne estate has spoken out for the first time about the opera house's controversial plans to built a giant wind turbine.

Gus Christie defended the planning application for a 44m turbine, 70m to the top of the blade, which has divided local opinion. The application is expected to be considered by Lewes District Council next month.

It has drawn hundreds of complaints from local residents and bodies worried about the visual and noise impact on the South Downs, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

They have included Ringmer Parish Council, the South Downs Joint Committee, the Ramblers Association and the South Downs Society.

There have also been many letters of support from environmentalists.

The argument has been debated in the national press, with conservationist David Bellamy lambasting the scheme in Daily Mail.

Now Mr Christie has pulled apart his critics.

He said: "Everyone needs to look at the bigger picture in the world in which they live. I think the societies which have criticised these plans are not doing this.

"I can understand why they have reacted in the way they have because their job is to protect the South Downs. But future generations will hold these people responsible for putting blocks in the way of crucial developments.

"Global warming is a fact. We've just had the hottest April on record and unless we do something now, we are up the creek."