Fingal County Council has identified large swathes of land north of Dublin airport as possible locations for huge wind turbines, and is also considering allowing them along a "green belt" near Swords.

Under controversial proposals adopted by councillors last week, smaller-scale wind energy developments of two wind turbines or less may be permitted in some of the county's urban areas.

A council wind energy strategy document says this kind of development "shall be considered in certain additional urban areas" but should involve turbine masts of "no more than 20 metres high".

But the study deems areas such as the Liffey Valley, Donabate, Portrane, Corballis, Portmarnock (peninsula and wetlands) and Howth as "not acceptable" for larger-scale wind farms.

The new proposals, adopted by the council last week, outline which areas the council might look favourably on when it comes to granting planning permission for such developments.

It is intended to serve as a broad guide to individuals, businesses and developers considering erecting wind turbines in the Fingal area.

Overall the document says "strategic land areas" in the east and north-west of the county offer the "maximum potential for the development of the county's wind energy potential". These are designated as "accepted in principle" for wind energy development.

Elsewhere, it says that the greater part of "hilly and flat" farmland to the north of Dublin airport, as far as the northern boundary of the county, is "acceptable" for the location of wind turbines. Although it notes that the "rolling landscape is generally unspoilt, rural and tranquil ... The greater part of this area with its gently undulating landscape is considered to be a generally unexceptional landscape."

It also identifies an area known as the "Lusk triangle" between the M1, Loughshinny, Ardgillan Estate and Rogerstown Estuary to the south, along with uplands in the Naul and Garristown, as "open to consideration".

It says a green belt "to north, east and west of Swords" should also be open to consideration, but says Donabate, Portrane, Corballis, the Portmarnock peninsula and wetlands and Howth are "not acceptable".

Similarly, it rules out locating wind turbine developments in the Liffey Valley, due to its "scenic and amenity value", and says wind turbines should not be located along the coast to the east of Fingal.

"The coastline does not have any high and dramatic cliffs which would make any wind energy development additionally prominent," it states. "Given the sensitivity of the landscape … this area is designated for prospective wind energy development to be 'not acceptable'."

By comparison, flat open landscape adjacent to Donabate to the east along a strip between the M1 and Donabate is deemed "open to consideration", while rural land between Swords green belt and Naul is "acceptable on principle".

The erection of wind turbines has prompted controversy in some areas due their effect on the landscape.

However, supporters claim they can increase the value of land and point out that they provide significant renewable energy at a time when the government has repeatedly sought to stress its green credentials.