LANCASHIRE’S farmers are being offered a poor deal by some wind farm developers in the county, a top solicitor has said.

Andrew Holden, of Blackburn-based Napthens, said he had noticed an increase in the number of planning applications for wind turbine developments.

But he warned that farmers are often offered a ‘relatively low sum of money’ and free energy when wind farms are proposed.

Mr Holden said: “Landowners should certainly not jump at the first available offer and sign on the dotted line.

“Wind turbine projects are often very profitable, and accepting an initial sum or a small rental fee, with perhaps free electricity, is often not the best way forward.

“Some of these projects are worth many thousands of pounds per year to developers who are selling the energy back to the power companies.”

East Lancashire has a high concentration of wind farms, including Hameldon wind farm, near Burnley, and Scout Moor in Rossendale.

These developments were not criticised by Mr Holden.