A £50MILLION windfarm scheme to provide enough power for the whole of Rossendale was unveiled today.

United Utilities' Scout Moor wind farm will take five years to build and will consist of 26, 100 metre high turbines 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.

The project -- in partnership with development company Peel Holdings -- will also provide £1million for community projects and create up to 130 construction jobs.

If the plans get the go-ahead from the Secretary of State, Scout Moor will provide six times more electricity than Cliviger's wind farm - currently the biggest in the North West.

The plan was today given a cautious welcome by Rossendale Council planning chairman Coun David Hancock.

He said: "Obviously, as a council we would be supportive of the principle of renewable energy, but this needs to be looked at very carefully to make sure it fits with the district plan and that careful consultation with everyone concerned is carried out."

Scout Moor wind farm will have two turbines less than Cliviger and will provide more than 51,000 homes - including half of Rochdale - with renewable energy.

The project is part of the government's target to reduce global warming by providing ten per cent of the country's electricity from green sources by 2010.

Officials have revealed that the turbines would be carefully sited and avoid prominent areas such as Knowle Hill.

And United Utilities has pledged that the new power source will not lead to a rise in charges.

Manchester-based Peel Holdings, the company behind the Trafford Centre, is headed by Rossendale businessman John Whittaker.

The partners, who will share profits from the scheme, have pledged to plough back £1million as part of the community fund over the wind farm's 25 years life.

Doug Coleman, managing director of United Utilities' Green Energy, who has worked on similar projects in Denmark, said: "I am passionate about it and I feel strongly about the threat of global warming.

"This windfarm will provide 30 per cent of the North West's target to provide green energy which makes it worthwhile."

The partners have consulted with more than 50 organisations before drawing up final proposals.

An exhibition will be held at Rawtenstall Unitarian Church, Bank Street from 10am-4pm on Saturday, June 14.

Paul Hunt, business development manager for Scout Moor, added: "If built, this windfarm would bring considerable investment into the regional economy, providing opportunities for local businesses.

"We must reduce our reliance on fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas.

"We are already beginning to see the effects of global warming with freak weather conditions and heavy storms. Wind power provides clean, green, safe electricity."