A NEW wind farm is set to take shape on hills above Burnley - with thousands of homes set to benefit from green energy.

The three turbine project at Hameldon Hill will produce enough green electricity to meet the average annual needs of 2,400 homes, according to energy bosses.

Preliminary site work has already taken place and construction will be assembled at the site on Monday.

Construction of the three state-of-the-art turbines and infrastructure will be carried out by REpower UK and the wind farm will have a combined capacity of up to 4.5 megawatts.

Each of the three wind turbines will be transported to the hill top site in several large lorry loads, before being assembled on site.

Martin Kelly, project manager for npower renewables, the company behind the scheme, said: "This is a challenging project due to the size of the components.

"With the blades alone being 40 metres long, guidance has been sought from the local authorities on how to best carry out transportation to the site.

"Deliveries will be progra-mmed to minimise any distur-bance to weekday traffic.

"We are right on schedule and hoping for some good weather over the next month in order that the turbines can be placed safely."

Hapton with Park councillor Peter McCann said the development was a small one that had not raised any opposition in the local area.

Coal Clough Wind Farm on the moors above Cliviger is one of the most prominent in the region and has been the battleground for campaigners both for and against alternative energy.

It was given permission in November to extend its use for another 10 years.

Last year, plans for a 26-turbine wind farm at Scout Moor, Whitworth, Rossendale, were given the green light although the final decision from the Secretary of State has yet to be taken.

There are also moves to bring a smaller wind farm to moors above Edgworth, with a public inquiry due this year.