The RSPB has been accused of hypocrisy after allowing a power station to be built on one of its nature reserves, with noise pollution from the construction likely to affect rare birds in protected areas.

Plans for the power plant have been released by Statera at the RSPB Saltholme reserve near Middlesborough, adjacent to government-designated special bird protection areas.

The highest acceptable noise for birds is, according to experts, around 50 decibels. Construction, planning documents show, will cause noise pollution levels of 75db at the potential Special Protection Area nearby and 65db at the Special Protection Area.

These are areas of high ecological significance and contain red-listed birds including curlews and lapwings. Excessive noise can prohibit birds from breeding and avoiding predators, according to a study published last year in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Some have also pointed out that the bird charity has called for the government to commit to a zero fossil fuel future, and supported climate change movement Extinction Rebellion - but has allowed a fossil fuel power station to be built on the reserve it manages.