PROTESTERS fighting against a £50million Rossendale wind farm have been given new hope.

MP Janet Anderson believes the fact the land is designated as common land, which normally cannot be built on, may be enough to persuade ministers to reject the 26-turbine project on Scout Moor.

Last week, the scheme was approved at a public inquiry, despite objections from residents, Lancashire County Council and Rossendale Council.

The final decision, however, lies with secretary of state for the environment, Margaret Beckett.

She has to decide whether to approve a Peel Holdings request to change the status of the common land at Scout Moor to private land.

To do this, they have to offer up other nearby land for use as common land, under an 1845 Act of Parliament.

And in a letter to Mrs Beckett, Mrs Anderson is urging her to refuse because the common land will become smaller and patchy under the proposals.

In a letter to the secretary of state Mrs Anderson said: "Common land is for people to enjoy the open space provided, but that open landscape will disappear if the wind turbines, a large scale infrastructure, are built upon it.

Campaigner Ann Metcalfe said: "The damage this development will cause is too high a price for a limited and inconsistent generation of electricity."