A STORM of protest has greeted news that controversial plans for wind farms in the Ribble Valley could get the go-ahead under the new Labour government.

The proposals for local beauty spots are more likely to be approved under the new government, Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans has warned.

And residents of a Ribble Valley village once threatened with turbines have vowed to fight any new moves tooth and nail.

Mr Evans blasted the wind farms as "absolutely ghastly", but environmentalists claim they prevent pollution and have predicted a growth in the alternative energy source by the turn of the century.

He sounded the alarm bell after tackling Energy Minister John Battle on the issue in the Commons.

Mr Evans asked the Energy Minister for an assurance that local people would be consulted and taken heed of when applications for the erection of wind rubines, especially in areas of beautiful open countryside, were made.

He also suggested that cash be diverted from subsidising such an "inefficient form" of generating energy to energy conservation and home insulation projects, which would do "far more to ensure that the countryside is preserved for the enjoyment of everyone".

But the Minister told him: "Some people oppose wind farms but there is quite substantial opinion in favour of them among those who see them as a positive way forward.

"In international terms, we should not confine our attention to the turbine itself but think of the chain of engineering in a wind farm. It is a good product and it can win markets internationally."

A wind farm furore whipped up in the Ribble Valley last year after firms applied to build them on Longridge, Easington and Bradford Fells.

Coun Brian Collis, who represents Dutton on Ribble Valley Council, spearheaded a campaign against a proposed wind farm on Longridge Fell last year.

He said: "I received more than100 letters from villagers. Local feeling on this issue is very strong.

"I feel strongly about the environment, but the amount of electricity generated by wind farms does not warrant spoiling beautiful areas."

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