PLANS for a controversial 77-metre wind turbine on land above Dar- wen have been submitted.

James and Diane Mares have made an official application to site the turbine on their land at Prospect Farm, off Bull Hill.

Mr and Mrs Mares, in conjunction with green energy firm Temporis Wind, have pressed ahead with the plan despite widespread opposition from local residents, many of whom voiced concerns at a public meeting last month.

MORE TOP STORIES:

The application, which has been submitted to Blackburn with Darwen Council, outlines plans for a 77m-high turbine, from base to blade tip, and supporting infrastructure including access tracks and underground cabling.

In a planning document, Richard Conolly of CgMs Consulting, said: “The proposed turbine is situated in a pasture field and the access track serving it will run from Bolton Road across three pasture fields before joining an existing farm track. It will follow this track for a short distance before entering the field to the north of the proposed turbine.”

“An underground cable will link the proposed development to the National Grid.”

Mr Conolly conceded the development would ‘affect the setting of Darwen Tower’, the town’s most prized heritage asset.

He said: “This impact relates to the turbine’s being seen in combination with the tower in views that contribute to its significance.” Bosses at Temporis Wind have said that the turbine will provide enough electricity to power 523 homes in Blackburn with Darwen.

And cash generated from the sale of electricity to the grid will see £3,000 a year invested in local projects.

But unimpressed residents have said the visual impact of a turbine that size would outweigh the proposed benefits.

Residents have until November 14 to comment on the planning application, which has the number 10/14/0984.