April 3, 2008
England

Three councils unite to say no to turbines

All three councils involved in planning applications for wind turbines, two-thirds as high as Blackpool Tower, on the moors near Todmorden have now recommended that they should be rejected.

The final decision rests with a Government-appointed planning inspector who has decided to hold a public inquiry into the scheme by Coronation Power, on a date still to be fixed.

Calderdale and Rossendale Councils have already given the thumbs down to the proposals in so far as they affect Todmorden Moor and Reaps Moss.

Now Rochdale Council Planning Committee has come to the conclusion that the proposal for seven turbines, out of a total of 12, at Crook Hill should be turned down because of the poor access, the land is in the green belt, of high landscape value and building the machines would destroy rare and fragile peat deposits.

In addition: “The proposal would give rise to unacceptable cumulative impact by virtue of its relationship with wind farms at Ovenden Moor, Halifax, Coal Clough, Burnley, and Scout Moor, in Rossendale.”

Coronation Power claims they will provide considerable clean electricity and have significant economic and community benefits.

The Courier reported last month how members of the Astronomy Centre, on Bacup Road, Todmorden, was objecting to the turbines on the moors because they threaten to seriously interfere with their view of the stars.

Members claim the centre, which was set up 26 years ago could close.
There have been more than 2,000 representations from organisations, agencies and individuals about the proposals for each of the three sites.

A planning inspector has already refused to allow the company to put a single wind gauge on Todmorden Moor because it would disrupt the activities of a model flying club, which was founded in the 1940s.

By Michael Peel