PLANNING chiefs at Warrington have given the go-ahead for a giant wind turbine on Green Belt land.PLANNING chiefs at Warrington have given the go-ahead for a giant wind turbine on Green Belt land.
The 77m high structure will be built alongside the M62 at Causeway Bridges Farm, Alder Lane, Burtonwood.
Members of the borough council’s development committee considered the application by farmer Mark Fairclough on several occasions and visited the site before reaching a decision. But when Liverpool John Lennon Airport withdrew an objection, councillors decided the scheme could go ahead, despite opposition from 10 nearby residents and Burtonwood Parish Council and despite refusing permission for another, smaller, turbine at a farm near Culcheth.
They decided although the site was in the Green Belt, its proximity to the M62 motorway meant it would not have an significant impact on the area.
The committee was told the turbine would be capable of contributing about 750 kilowatts to the national electricity grid.
There was also the prospect that power generated by the turbine could be used by local businesses.
Opposition to the development was based on residential amenity – visual and environmental – the Green Belt, proximity to the motorway, noise, impact on the countryside, possible interference to television reception and mobile phones and the possible impact of vibrations on local disused mine shafts.
Originally Mr Fairclough had sought permission for three turbines but following consultation with nearby residents had reduced the scheme to one.
Planning officers supported the scheme and said arguments based on low output tended not to convince planning inspectors, even in the green belt.
National planning guidance was that planners should consider the benefits of wind turbine proposals, irrespective of their efficiency or output.
They should not be refused merely because their output was small.
Giant wind turbine gets go-ahead
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
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Obviously showing as little respect for our Green Belt as they have for our built heritage.
National planning guidance was that planners should consider the benefits of wind turbine proposals, irrespective of their efficiency or output.
They should not be refused merely because their output was small.
So no matter how efficient these contraptions may or not be they still get the huge subsidies that are required to build and operate them and we , the consumers pick up the tab on our eletricity bills. The only individual who make a a profit is the farmer who whose land is used to erect them.