A PUBLIC inquiry into a £50million wind farm on moors above Rossendale has reconvened.

The inquiry re-started yesterday just days after United Utilities pulled out of the controversial Scout and Knowl Moor scheme.

The resumed inquiry is expected to finish tomorrow after all parties have given their views on the impact of wind farms.

The Friends of Scout and Knowl Moor, who are opposing the scheme, and developers Peel Holdings were due to give evidence to the inspector, at Rochdale Rugby Club, Moorgate Avenue.

An inquiry initially took place late last year but it was decided to stage the new hearing in light of the change in Government guidelines.

If the plans for the wind farm scheme get the go-ahead from the Secretary of State it will provide six times more electricity than Cliviger wind farm - currently the biggest in the North West.

It is proposed the wind farm will provide enough power for the whole of Rossendale and will consist of 26 turbines, each a hundred metre high supplying up to 65 megawatts of power.

The site, near Edenfield, is the windiest in Lancashire with average wind speeds of 15mph - 50 per cent higher than Manchester.

Edward Smethurst, of the Friends of Scout and Knowl Moor group, said: "The chairman of the inquiry was asked by the developers' QC to reconvene as a result of new Government guidance.

"They have been putting their side across first and then it will be up to us to reiterate and put forward any new points that we can make as a result of the guidance. "

Last week United Utilities sold its stake in the proposal to Peel Holdings for an undisclosed sum.