A PROPOSED expansion of Scout Moor Wind Farm is ruffling the feathers of some residents in the borough.

Peel Energy and United Utilities have announced a joint venture to install an extra 16 wind turbines within the existing wind farm and in an area to the north of the site, which is visible from all over Bury.

Bury North MP David Nuttall has urged people who are opposed to the expansion to ensure their views are made known.

Mr Nuttall said: “I am concerned that many local residents have not been made aware of what may well be the largest development affecting Bury for some time.

“The new turbines would be up between 115 metres and 125 metres in height, which is comparable to the CIS Tower building in Manchester city centre.

He added: “This is not an issue just for Ramsbottom but for all the people of Bury, and indeed for all those who enjoy walks around Peel Tower and the surrounding open moorland.

“Of course, there are very difficult issues to wrestle with on energy policy, but onshore wind farms cannot meet our national energy needs alone and the Government have made it clear that subsidies for onshore wind farms are to end.

“I do not believe damaging our open moorland with yet more turbines turning it into an industrial looking landscape is warranted.

The Holcombe Society is hosting a summer picnic in front of Peel Tower on Sunday (June 14) when members of the public are invited to discuss their opinions on the plans.

There will also be a meeting, hosted by former BBC TV presenter Martin Henfield, at Ramsbottom Civic Hall on June 18, at 7pm.

Dr Fal Binns, spokesman for Bury Rural Inequalities Forum, said: “This is the largest development affecting Bury for a generation, and yet nobody seems to know of it.

“We have spent time speaking to people visiting the popular tourist spot of Peel Tower, and most are horrified — views across the valley from the tower will be compromised they say.

“While there are already turbines on the moor, they are widely spread. This proposals infills the spaces between — it will look like a wall of steel — an industrial skyline.”

The Facebook group, What’s On in Ramsbottom, was awash with comments from residents in favour of the proposed expansion.

Paul Jenkins said: “I too am proud of our wind turbines — they look great, they do great. Now we just need to change legislation so that local communities can directly benefit from the profits generated by their own turbines.”

Nick Smith said: “I love wind farms. Elegant, majestic and sustainable.”

Jon England, a spokesman for Peel Energy, said: “During our public consultation last summer we received some really useful feedback from local people and changed our expansion plans in response. The changes included reducing the planned number of new turbines from 26 to 16.

“If approved, the expansion of Scout Moor Wind Farm will create a wind farm that will sustainably generate enough electricity to power more than 20,000 homes while at the same time protecting and improving the local environment.

“The expansion also presents an opportunity to build on our relationships with surrounding communities, providing much-needed funding for a range of initiatives and using the wind farm as a valuable resource for recreation and education.

“The expansion would also mean the restoration of around 900 hectares of peat moorland, which has becoming badly degraded due to a combination of wildfire and over-grazing of sheep.”

People can submit their views to Rossendale Council by e-mailing: caseofficer@enplan.net (citing ref 2015/0112).