MP to fight wind farm
An MP has joined a chorus of opposition against the UK’s largest wind turbines.
Weaver Vale MP Mike Hall has spoken against the cluster of four 410ft-high turbines, 100ft taller than Big Ben, and would even dwarf the Fiddlers Ferry Cooling Tower if they were built at Aston Grange.
After giving evidence at a public inquiry into the proposals he said: “The developers Tegni Cymru have said that a specific planning policy gives them the right to build the wind farm.
“This application doesn’t come anywhere near meeting that requirement. The whole purpose of defining green belt land is to create an area that is protected from development.
“The generators will be a massive blot on the landscape and will be visible from miles around. Imagine an Olympic swimming pool stood on its end, put another one on top, then another half and add the giant blades.
“The amount of energy that they will create will be minuscule and in no way justifies the destruction of the green belt. It will spoil the area.”
Developers Tegni Cymru and Germania Wind Park, are proposing the wind farm in Weaver Valley Regional Park, at Aston Grange, Frodsham.
Campaign group Stop Aston Wind Farm (SAW) and Vale Royal Borough Council have opposed the development in week long inquiry at the Forest Hills Hotel, Frodsham, which ended on Wednesday.
Last week Mike Cooksley, chairman of the Weaver Valley Management Board, said: “Regional parks should be protected, developed and enjoyed by both visitors and residents.
“The countryside of Cheshire is epitomised by this site and is seen by many as the antidote to urbanisation and relief from city life. The park is key to the growth of the visitor economy in Cheshire that will see tourism worth some £2billion per year by 2015.”
A decision is expected in October.
By Paul Mannion
29 August 2008
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