Giant wind turbine plan opposed

OBJECTORS are lining up to fight a plan for a 77m high wind turbine to be built on Green Belt land alongside the M62 near Warrington..
The scheme has been put forward by Mark Fairclough, at Causeway Bridges Farm, Alder Lane, Burtonwood.
The turbine would be capable of generating 750kw of electricity to the national grid and, possibly, supplying power for a number of local businesses.
Liverpool John Lennon Airport has lodged an objection on the grounds the turbine, because of its height and location, would impact on airport radar.
The Joint Radio Company – which assesses potential for interference to radio systems operation by energy industry companies for safety management of the national energy infrastructure – has objected.
Ten nearby residents have objected on a variety of grounds including visual impact on the Green Belt, noise and distraction to drivers on the motorway.
Burtonwood Parish Council has also objected on similar grounds and has expressed concern about damage that could be caused to underground mine workings by vibrations.
Officers say there is strong, general support for wind turbines from international, national governments and regional bodies.
At present there are no existing or approved large scale wind turbines in the area, which means a target for two large turbines to be installed by 2010 had been missed.
They acknowledge that the turbine would not normally be accepted in the Green Belt, but say there are very special circumstances which outweigh any hard that might be caused.
The borough council’s planning committee will consider the scheme next week.