BOLTON is set to get its first school powered by wind energy.

Planning chiefs have given Gates Primary School, in Bristle Hall Way, Westhoughton, the go-ahead for the £60,000 project which will see an 18-metre high turbine built in the school grounds.

It will be the first school in the borough to harness wind energy.

The turbine, which is expected to cut the school’s electricity consumption by 50 per cent, will be sited next to the Westhoughton railway station car park. It will also provide green energy for the school and Rainbow House, a children’s centre, next door.

Headteacher Mrs Kathryn Coiffait said: “We are thrilled that the planning application has been approved and we look forward to being able to make further contributions to energy sustainability and to make savings on our electricity usage.

“Once the turbine is installed we will be able to share information with other schools and interested parties.”

Bolton Council, which is funding the project, started exploring the idea of using green energy in schools at the start of the year, and The Gates was chosen because of its location.

Initial plans proposed two 15-metre turbines, but planning bosses decided to approve one larger power source following complaints from neighbours.

It was considered that the turbine nearest the school was on higher ground and would have had a greater visual impact on residential properties on the other side of a railway track which overlook the school fields.

A council spokesman said: “Like any council building, schools need to look to reduce carbon emissions and energy costs, and the creation of a wind turbine at The Gates will enable the school to save money and sell energy back to the grid.”

sarah.poole @theboltonnews.co.uk