BUILDING work to put 12 wind turbines, each almost as tall as Blackpool Tower, in place on moorland in East Lancashire is set to begin.

The controversial project, designed for the moors between Hyndburn and Rossendale, has been scaled back by half after protests, But the scheme, first proposed in 2007, is now set to be completed by the end of the year.

Because it is common land there had to be special permission from the Government, which was approved early last year.

German firm Energie-Kontor will avoid paying any rent on the site, because of the status of the land.

Now 12 turbines, each measuring up to 122 metres high, will be put in place. Blackpool Tower is 158 metres.

Project manager Richard Lill said the firm is still going through the procurement process, but construction is expected to start in July, taking around eight months.

He said: “The wind farm could generate electricity to meet the needs of 52 per cent of the households in Hyndburn if it performs in line with the national average for wind speed.

“It has taken several years to get to this stage but there have been no delays as such. There is just a long process to go through to build a site like this.”

The turbines will be put in place on Haslingden Moor, between Grane Road and Haslingden Old Road.

Local environmental charity Prospects Foundation is to be boosted by £100,000 per year for the next 25 years as a result of the project, as a condition of the planning permission.

The charity’s chairman, Phil Barwood, said: “It is our policy generally to support renewable energy. The money will enable environmental projects in Hyndburn to be supported.”