A CAMPAIGN group has been set up to oppose controversial plans to build a wind farm on moorland above Darwen with turbines which could be THREE times as tall as the nearby Jubilee Tower. The group is meeting tonight (Friday, 17th) to urge residents to block plans which would dramatically change the town's skyline.

Plans for more than a dozen 200ft wind turbines, with rotor blades 144ft across, have infuriated Darwen councillors as they would dwarf the century-old tower which is 85 ft tall. The turbines would be more than twice the height of similar devices at Coal Clough Farm in Cliviger, which sparked protests in the Burnley area.

PowerGen has been awarded a contract from the Government to build a wind farm on Darwen Moor and the erection of three measurement masts has already been approved.

While Blackburn with Darwen Council has yet to receive a formal planning application, it has refused to oppose the introduction of the farm.

Campaign leaders Lib Dem councillors David and Karimeh Foster have written to local groups asking them to join their fight and attend the meeting at Spring Vale Methodist Church, Watery Lane, Darwen at 7.30pm. Coun David Foster said: "The tower is the town's most famous landmark and can be seen for miles around. But if the wind farm gets the go-ahead it will be overlooked by these ugly creations."

The proposed development area on White Hill is privately owned. It is adjacent to Lord's Hall and between Whitehall Farm (at the top of Whitehall Park) and Cartridge Hill which overlooks the southern end of Tockholes.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.