Scout Moor Wind Farm expansion plans proposed

Consultations on expanding the wind farm originally took place in December 2011

Proposals to double the size of a wind farm on the Lancashire moorland have been unveiled.

Peel Energy and United Utilities want to add more turbines to the existing 26 at the Scout Moor Wind farm between Rochdale and Rossendale.

Jon England, from Peel Energy, said the area already had "a proven track-record of high energy output".

Plans for the proposed expansion of the sire, which began operations in 2008, will go out for consultation in April.

Mr England said "the investment already made to connect to the National Grid and the fact that we have an existing point of access" were also reasons to expand the site.

Before it opened it faced opposition from residents' groups and Rossendale, Rochdale and Lancashire County councils.

It was given the go ahead in May 2005 after a public inquiry.