By Martin Hamer BBC News Online, Manchester

Owd Betts Inn will be about half-a-mile from the windfarm

Owd Betts Inn, named after the building's 19th Century owner Elizabeth Ashworth, attracts visitors from as far away as Australia, the US and Canada.

And it is frequented by celebrities, including some of the cast from Coronation Street.

But it seems the nature of the surrounding area is going to change quite dramatically after government approval of a controversial �50m windfarm on Scout Moor - about half-a-mile from Owd Betts.

Twenty-six 80m-high turbines - two thirds the size of Blackpool Tower - will generate 65 megawatts of electricity for about 30,000 homes.

It is part of the government's attempt to meet its climate change commitments and build reliable energy supplies.

A lot of people have mixed feelings about it Audrey Lambert

Those opposed to the windfarm in this particular location speak of problems with increased traffic, damage to an untouched landscape and the noise of the turbines as their blades turn in the wind.

Owd Betts will be one of the nearest buildings to the windfarm.

Proprietors David and Audrey Lambert are philosophical about the project, though they are concerned about the effect it could have on their water supply.

The Lamberts are on a well system and use their own elaborate filtration system to ensure the water, taken from nearby springs, is fit to use on their premises.

Mr Lambert says he has been told by an engineer that the water could turn black if the surrounding peatland is disturbed.

"When the water turns dirty and black, that's when a borehole system has to kick in and who's going to be responsible for fitting the borehole?" he said.

The Lamberts say visitors to the pub come from far and wide

"This isn't our doing because if they leave it alone, it will be right as it is; if they mess about with it there are going to be costly problems all year every year."

They plan to write to Peel Holdings which is behind the windfarm scheme and whose portfolio includes The Trafford Centre - a shopping complex just outside Manchester - and Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

Richard Brewster from Peel Holdings said the company had "more than adequately demonstrated that there will be no negative impact on water supply".

However, he said that anybody with any concerns should contact Peel Holdings.

The scheme will have a linked community trust to invest �1m into local projects over the course of the windfarm's operational life.

Apart from the potential water problem, the Lamberts do not believe the proximity of the turbines will have a detrimental effect on trade.

'Not been spoilt'

Mr Lambert said: "The windfarm is going to be round the back and both the business and our flat are situated at the front.

"It's not just about the water going black, though, what about all the wildlife and plantation dying off, and people who love to come and walk up here? It will have a lot of knock-on effects."

Mrs Lambert said: "A lot of people have mixed feelings about it.

"I don't think it will affect the business because people will come to look at the turbines and it could even help it if they visit us while they are up here."

For better or for worse, the winds of change are blowing around Owd Betts.