A PLAN for a mast on the moors - which could be the start of a huge wind farm - is due to go before Bolton's planning councillors later today. National Wind Power has put in an application for temporary planning permission for an anemometer mast at Turton Heights Moor on land north of Cox Green Road, Bromley Cross, Bolton. But residents fear it could be the start of a huge wind farm of propeller-driven electricity turbines.

Planning officers are recommending that councillors should turn down the scheme.

But they warn that the application is for a single mast for the measurement of wind speed only.

A report adds: "The application must, therefore, be assessed on the basis of the details that have been submitted rather than what might be submitted in future."

National Wind Power has admitted that it is "seriously considering" Turton Heights for a wind farm. But Tory leader Cllr Norman Critchley, who vowed "over my dead body" when the plans were first revealed said: "I do think they are just testing the water.

"I think that we have to oppose this. If they were put up at Turton Heights, it would be too dangerous for people to walk anywhere near them."

Turton Heights is popular with ramblers and officers are also recommending it should be refused because it is close to a stone circle which is classified as an ancient monument.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.