The proposed new facility, which has the backing of economic development agency Scottish Enterprise, will be an extension of SSE's Glasgow-based Centre of Engineering Excellence for Renewable Energy.

BBC: SSE wants offshore wind turbine test site at Hunterston

But Councillor Brian Wombwell, who is on the council's development control committee, said the turbine could jeopardise an extension to the enterprise zone, which includes plans from Alliance Boots for 1, 150 homes.

BBC: Wind turbine

Before the figures were released, the government announced the extension of its New Enterprise Allowance scheme, which it says will help 33, 000 more jobseekers benefit from advice from a mentor to draw up a business plan.

BBC: UK unemployment falls to 2.53 million