FINAL plans for wind farms in Bacup and Todmorden have been submitted to Rossendale and Calderdale Councils.

Coronation Power, the company that develops sustainable energy schemes, made the applications following a 20-month assessment of the environmental impact and extensive public consultation.

Four exhibitions were held in the two towns last year, with virtual interactive displays of the wind farms plus the chance for residents to speak to staff about the schemes.

Now the company is hoping the councils will give the green light to the schemes at Reaps Moss, Britannia, and on Todmorden Moor.

Coronation says building the wind farms will support environmental targets by generating clean and sustainable energy, help tackle the harmful effects of climate change, and provide around £675,000 to environmental and education projects.

Residents around Todmorden Moor would also have the option of co-owning one of the five turbines planned for the site, after Microgeneration Yorkshire, based at Hebden Bridge, approached Coronation about a community investment in the wind farm.

Residents would own up to a fifth of the wind farm shares, and would get up to a fifth of the profits.

The Reaps Moss wind farm, on land owned by two local landowners, would have four turbines that generate up to 12 megawatts of electricity, the equivalent to the annual energy needs of about 6,700 homes.

Todmorden Moor would generate 15 MW of power for the equivalent of approximately 8,300 homes.

Subject to receiving planning approval, it is anticipated that both wind farms would be installed and working by the end of 2008.

Vickram Mirchandani, Coronation Power's managing director, said: "We have carefully considered the different aspects of our plans and listened to people's comments - both for and against our schemes.

"These sites are ideal locations for small wind farms, and if permission is granted local people can directly benefit from their operation."