PLANS for a 34.5-metre wind turbine at a farm are set to be given the go-ahead, despite objections.

Steven Turner has submitted plans to install the 50kw wind turbine at Longshaw Head Farm in Crowthorn Road, Turton.

In his application, which will be discussed by Blackburn with Darwen Council planning committee members on Thursday, Mr Turner has claimed the turbine will generate 217,000kwh per year, offsetting 117 tonnes of CO2 and allow the farm to be largely energy independent, with surplus electricity exported to the national grid.

But objectors, including North Turton Parish Council, claim the turbine will have a negative visual impact on the area, cause noise problems and affect horses at the nearby equestrian centre.

Existing turbines in place throughout the area include two standing 27-metres tall at Barons Farm and Wheatsheaf Farm, which are both within 1,000 metres of Longshaw Head.

Objecting to the proposal, Turton counc-illor Colin Rigby said: “There are three turbines within 400-metres of this site, so it is overdeveloped already. At the proposed site elevation, this may appear above the skyline whereas those installed at nearby sites do not.”

Adele Core, of Quarlton Manor Farm in Plantation Road, said: “To suggest that a turbine of this size will have little impact is dishonest.

“We know from the smaller one at Barons Farm that this is not the case. Every time I look out of the window my eye is drawn to the turbine, instead of the surrounding landscape.”

At least six more objections to the proposal had been submitted to the council.

Recommending the application be approved, council planning officers accepted that there was a large number of turbines appearing in the area.

They said: “It is considered that the proposal is on the cusp of acceptability.

“Subsequent turbines in this locality would be likely to result in a cumulative impact that would be detrimental to the openness and character of the green belt.”