A COUPLE'S plan to build a two-turbine wind farm on the moors above Edgworth is being sponsored by the Government, it has been revealed.

Angus and Julia Dootson, who live on part of Uglow Farm, were approached by National Wind Power (NWP), the UK's most experienced wind farm owner, developer and operator, to join a scheme called WindWorks -- a Government-backed project.

WindWorks provides farmers and landowners, whose land is suitable, with the opportunity and guidance to make significant extra income by taking a small wind energy project through the planning stage.

If planning consent is given by Blackburn with Darwen Council for the two 95 metre-high turbines above Edgworth, NWP will then finance and operate the turbines, sharing the returns with the landowner during the life of the project, which is around 20 years.

NWP said that each wind turbine would make a valuable contribution towards reducing the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere and help combat climate change.

It also said a suitable location for such a site should be windy, an open area at least 600 metres away from neighbouring homes and owned by someone motivated and interested in an income from the wind.

As reported in the Lancashire Evening, Telegraph, residents living nearby have slammed the Edgworth idea, saying it is too close to their homes and less than the stated 600 metres. They also fear permission for the turbines could set a precedent for more to crop up in the surrounding area.

James Devine, 36, who also lives on part of Uglow Farm, said: "I think with the Government being involved there is a lot of power behind it, which could railroad the common sense of local opinion opposed to it.

"I think it will be pretty much a miracle if we get the application defeated.

"If this gets through, more could spring up anywhere."

But Mr and Mrs Dootson have said the want to go ahead with the scheme for environmental reasons.

Brian Wilson, Minister for Energy, launched WindWorks in August 2001 and Government support for renewable energy has continued to grow.

The Energy White Paper published by the Government in February 2003, said the Government was committed to generating 10 per cent of the UK's electricity from renewable sources by 2010.