RESIDENTS in an East Lancashire village are launching a campaign to stop a windfarm being built.

Opposition against the proposed 12 turbine site on the moors between Oswaldtwistle and Haslingden has gained momentum among Belthorn residents.

They are to contact neighbouring villages such as Guide, Hoddlesden and Pickup Bank which would also be effected.

Led by Stuart Kaufman, whose property will be nearest the proposed windfarm, the group has already started a petition which has been left in the Dog Inn.

There are 70-plus signatures against Energie Kontor’s proposal which would see the turbines built on land near the Grey Mare pub, Grane Road.

Residents say the land which the windfarm is proposed for is common land, which belongs to the people, and they will fight to protect it.

Energie Kontor initially bid to site 24 turbines, but this number has since been reduced to 12.

Belthorn residents met in the Dog Inn on Monday night.

They raised concerns and strong opposition to the windfarm on a number of grounds, including the visual impact which they feel could distract drivers along the notorious Grane Road, the adverse effects on health, noise generated from the turbines, the danger if a propellor were to break and the effects on the moors themselves.

One resident said: “It is quite clear we don’t want this and there are numerous reasons but we will not engage with anything until the application is in.”

Another resident said: “This will cause a distraction to people driving along the Grane Road, people will be slowing down to look at it and it only takes one distraction for an accident to happen.”

Jean Bain said: “If they get permission to build the windfarm it opens up the area to other developments such as industrial sites. This will set a precedent.”