NEIGHBOURS and nature lovers are preparing to battle against plans for a wind farm at a Ribble Valley beauty spot.

Residents living close to the Longridge Fell site have formed a small action group to battle against even the early stages of the wind farm scheme.

And members of Dutton Parish Council brought their monthly meeting forward to hold emergency discussions about the plan, which is blowing up a storm in the valley.

The plan is for one 130-foot high mast, equipped with wind speed and direction monitors, near to top of the fell on land belonging to Moor Game Hall Farm.

Monitoring would take place for 12 months and if the scheme then proved economically viable, it is likely plans for a four-turbine wind farm would be put forward.

Geoff Payne, of nearby Lennox Farm, is rallying neighbours to fight the plans. He has launched a poster and leaflet campaign to let people know about the project and he has already found a lot of support.

Mr Payne said: "The fell is an official Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and it should remain that way.

"There has been a lot of fuss made lately about the Duke of Westminster not allowing people to walk over his land in the Forest of Bowland. "Well this is one area where the public is welcomed. The fell here is criss-crossed with lots of footpaths and we must preserve its natural beauty.

"We understand that this first application is only for a monitoring mast but we felt it was important to voice our concerns as soon as possible."

Landowner and parish councillor Tom Dugdale, of Dutton Manor, said: "We see this application for monitoring equipment as a foot in the door for the developers."

"The parish council has given the whole project a vehement thumbs down and we will be passing on our views to Ribble Valley Borough Council before they make their decision.

"I would be horrified if ever the wind farm scheme got the go-ahead and I can only hope that the strength of public feeling which is already apparent can sway the council planners."

The application for the monitoring mast will be discussed by Ribble Valley Council planning and development committee.

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