A CAMPAIGN has been launched to stop more wind turbines being built in Hyndburn.

Two more turbines are planned to be built in the borough, planners revealed.

An application to erect a 77m turbine at Wooley Lane Farm in Baxenden was lodged with Hyndburn Council, while opinion was sought for a 35m turbine at Accrington Riding Centre, at Rothwell Mill Farm.

In response to the plans at the riding centre, former Rhyddings School pupil, Sharon Moss, started a ‘Save our greenbelt and wildlife’ group on the internet, which has attracted more than 140 members.

She said: “Although the wind turbine is in the early stages of planning, I am looking for as much support as possible to oppose it. It is getting to the stage where we are not going to be able to walk, relax, and enjoy any area in Accrington without having these montrous wind turbines in our faces.”

The Rothwell Mill Farm site is 65m from heritage site, Priestly Clough, and 200m from the nearest properties, documents showed.

Pictures of ducks and geese at the proposed site have been uploaded to Facebook.

Sharon added: “This wind turbine will be in their direct flight path and will have a devastating impact on their entrace, exit and landing to the lodge.

“The site is also home to a large number of bats which we are extremely concerned for.”

Feedback from Hyndburn Council said the development ‘would not have significant environmental effects.’ A document read: “Development of this nature is acceptable in principle, subject to it not having an adverse impact on visual or residential amenity.”

The council expects to receive a full application in the near future, it went on Mathew Morgan who is project manager at Whirlwind Renewables in Huddersfield, which applied for permission to build the taller turbine at Wooley Lane Farm, owned by the Cornthwaite Family, said: “The Wooley Lane Wind Turbine is not situated within any national, regional or local ecological designation.

And it will provide electricity for around 380 homes each year.

“In addition a community benefit package of £5,000 per year will be offered to the local community totalling £150,000 over the lifetime of the project. If successful, contracts of around £350,000 would be placed that we would encourage local businesses to tender for.”

Nobody was Accrington Riding Centre was immediately available for comment.