FURIOUS residents packed a public meeting to blast plans for wind turbine "monsters" which they believe will dwarf a small East Lancashire town.

More than 150 people vented their anger at proposals to develop the wind farm above Bacup.

Renewable Energy Systems, which already operates a wind farm at Mereclough, above Cliviger, has applied to Rossendale Council to site nine turbines on Hogshead Law Hill to provide nine megawatts of energy.

But campaigners are fiercely opposing the plans and claim the development would harm the sensitive ecology of the moor, affect watercourses and the natural peat bed.

Euro MP Chris Davies chaired last night's stormy debate at Bacup's Central Methodist Church.

He introduced Chris Shears, from Renewable Energy Systems, who cited the company's reasons for wanting to develop the site.

Speakers Robin Pennie, of Rossendale Against Wind Farms (RAWF) and environmental scientist Dr Alan Heyworth, then spoke against the application.

RAWF secretary Jean Johnson said: "We felt Mr Shears had no answers to the fact the amount of electricity these turbines will produce is insignificant.

"Our objections remain the same. The visual impact of these monsters, the effects they will have on the ecology and hydrology and the destruction of the moor by installing a road. "People were shocked when they realised the size of the turbine blades which would be the length of the hall where we held the meeting.

"A lot of people in that area are also served by spring water and one man had been quoted £66,000 for his supply to be connected to the mains.

"If this scheme goes ahead, we must get a legal commitment from the company that they will replace people's water supplies if they are lost because of the installation of the turbines."

Campaigners had more than 200 letters objecting to the development signed at the meeting. These will be sent to Rossendale Council and Calderdale Council, who will decide access to the site.

Renewable Energy Systems has already reduced the number of proposed turbines from 12 to nine after public consultation and it describes the Bacup location as an 'excellent site.'

Communications officer Erica Mitchell-Packington, said many of the fears of residents were often alleviated once a development was up and running.

The company is also considering creating a wind farm at Blacko, near Nelson, although no plans have yet been submitted.

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