OPPONENTS of a huge wind turbine on the moors above Bolton have called for a blanket ban on similar applications while official guidelines are drawn up.

A campaign group led by Darwen resident Martin Vizzard began their campaign when an application was lodged for a turbine in the town that would be higher than India Mill on land less than 400 feet from his home.

There was widespread opposition to that proposal and it was eventually withdrawn by the applicant, Mrs Gott, of Pleasant View Farm.

But a new application has been submitted for a turbine 20 metres shorter, at 65 metres from base to blade tip, with campaigners still arguing it is far too tall.

Mr Vizzard, of Cranberry Fold Court, said: “At 65 metres or so, it will still be as high as Darwen Tower on the skyline. It will be Darwen’s newest landmark.

“We have spent the past two months objecting to all turbine applications in the area and we have written to the leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, Kate Hollern, asking for a meeting to discuss suspending all turbine applications.”

Mr Vizzard explained that his group wants a policy put in place that sets in stone the maximum height of a turbine within a certain distance of a residential property.

Other councils that have set policies on wind turbines include Milton Keynes, which bans any turbines within 1.2km of homes, while councils in Wiltshire and Lincolnshire have also imposed restrictions.

Mr Vizzard said: “The effect these applications have on people’s lives is staggering.

“When the last one went in I was getting emails at all times in the night and early morning from people who couldn’t sleep, they were that worried.”

A public meeting will be held in the near future with a time and date still to be decided.

North Turton and Tockholes councillor Jean Rigby said: “I am very unhappy about the new plans. The turbine would still be massive.

“Myself and my husband and fellow councillor Colin Rigby have been trying to get a committee together to put a policy in place for turbines.

“We need to bring in guidelines now and I would be supportive of anything that goes against the desecration of our landscape.”