A LEADING member of Bury Environment Forum has given his backing to controversial proposals to site a wind farm in Edenfield.

Speaking at Tuesday's meeting of the Ramsbottom and Tottington Area Board, Mr David Archer said: "We have to do something to reduce CO2. Bury Council is committed to reducing such emissions and this is one way which will have long term benefits for our children. This is the best way forward."

Objectors and supporters of the proposals to build the largest wind farm in Britain on moors north of Bury, straddling Rochdale packed Christ Church Centre in Ramsbottom to hear more about the scheme spearheaded jointly by Peel Holdings and United Utilities.

Plans have been put forward to build 26 giant turbines each reaching a height of 327ft on Scout Moor.

Those present included project managers Mr Paul Hunt from United Utilities and Mr Richard Brewster from Peel Holdings, and Friends of Scout Moor, who have been leading a campaign against the proposals on the grounds that it will blight an area of natural beauty.

Concerns put forward about the wind farm included interference with television and emergency radio transmissions, the effect the wind farm will have on the moors and on house prices in the area.

Mr Ian Price, a member of Friends of Scout Moor, said: "The wind farms have a life of 25 years, but the blight they will have caused will be there for 2,000 years."

But Paul Hunt from United Utilities said: "It would be disingenuous to say that the wind farm would have no impact but we have a need for renewable energy."

The applicants added that the television companies as well as the emergency services had raised no objections.

The application will be considered by Rossendale Council before being studied by the department of Trade and Industry.

Mr Price added: "We have had a lot of support in just a couple months. And we are pleased that Janet Anderson, MP for Rossendale and Darwen is no longer supporting the proposals."