PLANS for a wind farm high on the moors above Holmfirth could affect an important archaeological site.

Campaigners are fighting the plans for seven wind turbines on land off Huddersfield Road at Denshaw Moor, Saddleworth.

Power Company United Utilities is seeking planning approval from Oldham Council.

Saddleworth Moors Action Group is outraged that the proposed wind turbine site is in an area where there have been a large number of archaeological finds.

The University of Manchester Archaeological Unit rates these as of `regional importance'.

Experts say it is also likely that other archaeological artefacts lie undisturbed in the area.

A spokesman for the Saddleworth Moors Action Group argued that very few areas of Britain could boast a continuous history from 8000 BC to the present time.

The scheme is also being opposed on medical grounds. New medical studies have revealed that wind turbines are a health hazard to people living near them because of low frequency noise.

Local GP Dr Amanda Harry did research on a similar site in Cornwall.

She said: "People living close to the wind turbine site demonstrated a range of symptoms from headaches, migraines and nausea to tinnitus, depression and sleep disturbance."

Saddleworth parish councillor for Delph and Denshaw Clr Ken Hulme said: "I hope Oldham Council is looking seriously at this new medical evidence.

"The giant turbines United Utilities are proposing to erect are very close to Denshaw village and homes in the Castleshaw Valley.

"The council has a duty of care in this area and I sincerely hope it carries out this duty responsibly."