MEMBERS of the public have backed plans for a £50 million wind farm on moorland between Edenfield and Whitworth.

Support came from people questionned following exhibitions in Heywood and Rossendale on the Scout Moor Wind Farm development.

The exhibitions, which attracted nearly 200 people, were staged after plans for 26 three-bladed turbines were unveiled by United Utilities and Peel Holdings earlier this month.

The proposed location is on the moors between Rawtenstall and Rochdale, including Scout Moor and Knowle Moor.

The 26 turbines, with a maximum base to blade tip height of 100 metres, would be sited to reduce visual impact, avoiding prominent areas such as Knowle Hill.

If approved, the turbines would be capable of generating enough electricity to supply the average needs of about 51,000 homes, equivalent to 60 per cent of the householders in Rochdale borough and more than all the households in Rossendale.

Fifty-eight per cent of residents who attended the exhibition backed the wind farm plan, 27 per cent were against it and 15 per cent gave no opinion.

Richard Brewster, development manager for Scout Moor Wind Farm, said: "We're pleased that so many people took the chance to come along and see the scheme for themselves.

"Everyone's got a view and we heard a real cross-section of opinion, but the majority of visitors were supportive of our plan."

The developers will submit their application for consent to the Government which will then consult with the relevant planning authorities. If approved, the turbines should be producing power by 2005.