PLANS for a 110ft wind turbine at a farm are set to be get the green light despite objections.

Steven Turner has submitted plans to install the 50kw wind turbine at Longshaw Head Farm, in Edgworth.

In his application, which will be discussed by Blackburn with Darwen Council planning committee members tomorrow, Mr Turner has claimed the turbine will generate 217,000kwh per year, offsetting 117 tonnes of CO2.

This will allow the farm to be self-sufficient in terms of power with surplus electricity exported to the national grid. However, objectors including North Turton Parish Council claim the turbine will have a negative visual impact on the area, cause noise problems and affect horses.

Existing turbines are in place throughout the area include two standing 90ft tall at Barons Farm and Wheatsheaf Farm, which are both within a mile of Longshaw Head.

Objecting to the proposal, Turton councillor Colin Rigby said: “There are three turbines within 400 metres of this site so it is overdeveloped already.

“At the proposed site elevation, this may appear above the skyline whereas those installed at nearby sites do not.”

Adele Core, of Quarlton Manor Farm in Plantation Road, said: “To suggest that a turbine of this size will have little impact is dishonest. We know from the smaller one at Barons Farm that this is not the case.

“Every time I look out of the window at the rear of my property my eye is drawn to the turbine instead of the surrounding landscape.”

Six other objections have been submitted to the council. Recommending that the application be approved, council planning officers accepted that there were a large number of turbines appearing in the area.

They said: “It is considered that the proposal is on the cusp of acceptability.

“Subsequent turbines in this locality would be likely to result in a cumulative impact that would be detrimental to the openness and character of the green belt.”