RESIDENTS who fought to stop two huge wind turbines being built above Edgworth are facing the battle all over again.

The couple whose plan for the turbines was unanimously defeated by Blackburn with Darwen planning department have lodged an appeal against the council's decision.

It means a planning inspector will now be drafted in to give his verdict.

Villagers spent more than a year campaigning against the plans for the 95ft turbines -- the equivalent height of 21 double-deck buses -- submitted in November 2003 by the owners of Uglow Farm, Julia and Angus Dootson.

The couple insist the machines are necessary for the environment to produce renewable energy and were approached by UK wind farm operator National Wind Power to host the turbines.

But oppenents believe the concrete structures would spoil the countryside, generate noise and devalue properties.

And councillors who refused the scheme said that if they backed the plan, they would have no choice but to allow others in the future.

Kathryn Rodgers, who lives next door to the planned site, said: "We knew all along that it was within Mr and Mrs Dootson's right to appeal the decision but we felt that given such a overwhelming refusal at planning they probably would not bother.

"We hope the planning inspector will come to a similar conclusion that this is just not the right place for wind turbines.

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She added that a public inquiry would require fundraising to cover the cost of barristers.

"If the decision rests with written representations, we will encourage people to write in to stress they feel as strongly about this as they did one year ago."

A residents' meeting will take place on March 23 at the Barlow Institute at 7.30pm.

Mr and Mrs Dootson were today unavailable for comment.