The company said that electricity generated by the six kilowatt machine, to be built in the store's car park, will be fed into the store to reduce its consumption and its carbon footprint.

The planning application is one of a number submitted by Tesco across the country.

The supermarket says one six kilowatt turbine can provide enough power to sustain four households per year, and save 13.6 tonnes of CO2 each year.

Hartlepool Borough Council planners have recommended that the application be approved when the planning committee meets on Wednesday.

When the details were advertised as part of the planning process, three responses were received by the council, including one in which a householder expressed fears the turbine might interfere with electrical appliances.

But planning permission is only recommended subject to a list of six conditions, including one which will monitor its effect on TVs and radios.

Council planners said the turbine would not be a blot on the landscape, and would not prove an eyesore.

In a report to the planning committee, officers said: "Having assessed the application on its individual merits and within the context of national, regional and local planning policies it is considered that the proposed turbine, in view of its scale, size and design and location, will not have a significant detrimental effect on the visual amenity of the area or the street scene in general."

The officers added that any potential problems with TV or radio interference would be addressed by Tesco as part of any planning consent.

The report added: "The construction of wind turbines has often led to cases of TV and radio interference.

"Should planning permission be granted, suitable conditions are suggested that would require any problems to be rectified by the developer if it can be determined that the turbine is directly attributed."

The planning committee will discuss the application at a meeting at the civic centre from 10am on Wednesday, July 9.