PLANS for a controversial wind farm on moorland north of the borough sparked a heated discussion at Bury Town Hall this week.

Residents were invited as energy firm United Utilities explained their proposals to site 26 large turbines on Scout Moor, east of Edenfield. The facility would be the largest wind farm in England.

More than 20 people attended the meeting, organised by Bury Environment Forum's resource and issues group.

Development manager for United Utilities Paul Hunt said that the Peel Holdings-owned site, stretching as far south as Knowle Moor, was ideal for the project.

He said: "The land offers one of the best wind speeds in the area, it already has good road access and already has a very good infrastructure for connection to the electricity grid."

Mr Hunt added that wind farms were necessary if Britain was to honour international obligations to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon monoxide.

Energy from the farm would be enough to power 51,000 homes and prevent the release of 170,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

Concerns were expressed about the visual impact of the structures, which would stand 327ft high.

Mr Hunt responded: "We don't pretend that we could build a wind farm without having some effects on the surroundings, but what we have to balance is the whether these effects overcome the benefits."

The audience heard that plans had been lodged earlier this week with the Department of Trade and Industry, which would decide on the planning application.

The £56 million site could be decommissioned and dismantled after 25 years, should a wind farm no longer be needed. Construction would take nine months and would not begin until 2005.

In reply to fears that noise from the site could prove to be a nuisance, Mr Hunt said that the calculations had been made and that a breach of Government noise limits could mean the site was shut down.

But concerns were raised that too little consultation had taken place with individuals and organisations outside the boundaries of Rossendale and Rochdale, within which the masts would be situated.

Chief planning officer John Hodkinson pointed out that Bury Council had not been among the 50 bodies formally consulted.

And Holcombe resident John Ireland, of Cross Lane, asked why none of the 7,000 leaflets. explaining details of the farm to residents, had been delivered to his village.

He said: "We did not receive these leaflets despite Holcombe facing directly across the valley from this site, at the same eyeline, where we will experience the full visual impact."

Ramblers Association representative Alan Johnson said: "Ramblers have a policy of opposing wind turbines in unsuitable and unspoilt areas, which I believe this is."

Individuals would have until August 18 to make their views heard, with a further three months for councils to respond.