PLANS for a wind farm on Oswaldtwistle Moor have moved a step closer after permission was granted for a 60-metre high mast – which will determine the best position for the turbines.
Hyndburn Planning Committee has approved an application from Energiekontor UK Ltd to construct a meterological mast on Oswaldtwistle Moor, south of Haslingden Road.
The mast, which will stay on the moor for three years, will test wind conditions to determine the best position for the turbines, from an energy output point of view.
A spokesman for Energiekontor Ltd told the meeting: "The mast will be completely safe and will have the same effects as me standing on the Moors talking on my mobile phone.
"The mast is a temporary structure that will have little visual impact on the local scenery.
"I would like to assure residents and councillors, however, that just because we are carrying out this research it does not definitely mean we are planning a wind farm."
The moor will still be open to the public – apart from a small area around the base of the mast that will be fenced off.
Councillor David Mason said: "This application is about a company going about their business in the right way. And just because of that I cannot see any reason to refuse this application."
The application was unanimously passed by the committee.
