PLANS for a wind farm in Rossendale have been given the go-ahead after the Government agreed land could be used for the project.

Rural affairs minister Jim Knight has approved an application to allow 26 wind turbines to be erected on common land at Scout Moor, Edenfield.

However, Rossendale MP Janet Anderson today vowed to investigate whether the decision could be challenged through a judicial review.

Campaigners, which included Mrs Anderson, residents, Rossendale Borough Council and Lancashire County Council, had been fighting to retain the land needed for the £50 million development as common land and not a wind farm site.

Mrs Anderson said she would ask the borough and county councils whether they were prepared to fight the decision.

She added: "I am very disappointed that this has been approved.

"I had serious reservations about whether this exchange of common land was acceptable as did all the objectors.

"But the minister assured me our concerns were unfounded.

"The real question now is whether there is a case for a judicial review."

Mr Knight said: "In reaching this decision, we considered the interests of the land owners, those with common rights and those with other access rights.

"We balanced these against the relevant legislation and criteria.

"I am satisfied with the inspector's findings that the exchanges are beneficial to the parties and the terms just and reasonable.

"Based on this, the decision to make the orders is clear."

Last June, the 26-turbine project was approved after the scheme was called in for a public inquiry by the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs.

Originally it was thought government had refused the exchange of the land after Mrs Anderson was told the plans had been blocked.

However, it later emerged the decision actually related to an application for a wind farm at Whinash in Cumbria, next to the Lake District National Park.