COUNCILLORS are set to approve plans for a wind turbine that will provide two homes with electricity, despite objectors claiming it would be a 'visual blight'.

The plans will be approved subject to acceptable noise levels which will be established by an assessment to be carried out by an environmental health officer.

The application is to build the 10-metre high turbine with three blades at land adjoining Swinshaw Cottages in Loveclough within a fenced compound.

Three letters of objection have been sent to Rossendale Council claiming the development would be a visual blight on the landscape, a noise disturbance, invade people's privacy, create highway safety issues and reduce property values.

But the council is supporting the plan after the government identified a need to move away from using fossil fuels and obtain energy through renewable sources.

Paul Jones, chief administrative officer, said: "This application, albeit on a very small scale, will generate sustainable supplies of energy which will be used for domestic purposes two cottages. Wind turbines are an appropriate form of development in the countryside as long as environmental harm is not significant."

The plans are set to be approved at tonight's development control meeting.