RESIDENTS in Bacup and Todmorden are being asked to back a proposal that would make them part-owners of a wind farm.

Coronation Power, the developers hoping to build three proposed wind farms in Todmorden, Britannia and Wardle, have been approached by Microgeneration Yorkshire and the Hebden Bridge Alternative Technology Centre about giving residents part ownership of the wind farm planned for Todmorden Moor.

A public meeting will be held at Todmorden town hall on Wednesday, 7pm to 9pm, for residents to find out about possibly owning one of the five turbines planned for the site.

Barnaby Fryer, project manager at Microgeneration Yorkshire, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for members of the community to invest in their own future."

If the idea gets the support of residents, Todmorden could become one of a handful of communities in the country to be offered co-ownership of wind farms, which is already an established practice in Denmark and Sweden.

The project would also be a first for the London-based Coronation Power, which has plans for wind farms in eight parts of the country.

At the meeting, residents will be given information on how the proposal would work and what the community needs to do to make it happen. Representatives from Coronation Power will also be available to answer questions.

For information call 01422 846648 or email info@yren.org.uk Coronation will submit the planning application for the Todmorden Moor farm to Calderdale Council this month, with a decision expected in the spring.

An application to Rossendale Council for a four-turbine scheme at Reaps Moss, Britannia, will also be submitted before the end of the month.