CAMPAIGNERS against a giant wind turbine near Bull Hill, Darwen, are to meet the leader of the council on Wednesday.

Martin Vizzard, Wayne Silver and Mark Burns, of ACT (Against Cranberry Turbine) will meet Blackburn Darwen Council’s Kate Hollern at the Town Hall to discuss bringing in guidelines for turbine development in the borough.

The group has been campaigning for months against plans to erect a turbine at Pleasant View Farm about 350 metres from homes in Cranberry Fold Court.

Applicants, the Gott family, who own the farm, applied earlier this year to erect an 88.5metre turbine but that plan was withdrawn after significant pressure from local people.

Now a new application has been submitted for a 65 metre turbine, which would see the tip of the blade higher on the skyline than the top of Darwen Tower . Wayne Silver of the campaign group said: “We are looking forward to meeting Coun Hollern and we have prepared a presentation to show her.

“She has told us she plans to bring a number of people along who have a big interest in turbines in the area.

“Our main point is that there are no proper guidelines in place for how close turbines can be to homes.”

Mr Silver said following their meeting with Coun Hollern, the group plans to hold a public meeting in the area for everyone to voice their opinions.

The group wants the council to mirror other councils, such as Milton Keynes, and introduce guidelines for all wind turbine applications.

Milton Keynes Council has banned any turbines within 1.2km of homes, while councils in Wiltshire and Lincolnshire have also imposed restrictions.

The Gott family were not available for comment.