New blow for residents in fight against wind turbine 

Campaigners say they are ready for another fight after developers announced they would re-launch their bid to build a controversial wind turbine in Blackrod.

Plans for the turbine in Douglas Valley Golf Club, which would have been more than 30 metres high, were refused by Bolton Council’s planning committee in March.

Now applicant Paul Downes is appealing against the decision.

Nearby residents, who were worried about noise pollution because the site is close to homes, said they will continue to fight the plans. Cllr Lindsey Kell said: “My heart sank when I saw the appeal notice. This wind turbine application has caused such distress and worry in Blackrod.

“Local residents were relieved when the planning committee rejected the application. Now we face a fight to prevent the wind turbine being erected against the wishes of residents and the ruling of democratically elected members.” Cllr Kell has urged Bolton Council to create a wind turbine policy following a number of applications in the borough. Residents have been notified by Bolton Council, and anyone wanting to make comments needs to contact the planning Inspectorate by May 3.

Bolton West MP Julie Hilling, pictured, said “While I support green energy, I believe this site is a wholly inappropriate location for a wind turbine, being so close to residents’ homes.

“I urge Blackrod residents to make their views known to the planning inspectorate and I hope that Bolton Council’s decision is upheld.”

John Price, chairman of the Blackrod and Horwich Environmental Action Group, said: “We are not against CAMPAIGNERS say they are ready for another fight after developers announced they would re-launch their bid to build a controversial wind turbine in Blackrod.

Plans for the turbine in Douglas Valley Golf Club, which would have been more than 30 metres high, were refused by Bolton Council’s planning committee in March.

Now applicant Paul Downes is appealing against the decision.

Nearby residents, who were worried about noise pollution because the site is close to homes, said they will continue to fight the plans. Cllr Lindsey Kell said: “My heart sank when I saw the appeal notice. This wind turbine application has caused such distress and worry in Blackrod.

“Local residents were relieved when the planning committee rejected the application. Now we face a fight to prevent the wind turbine being erected against the wishes of residents and the ruling of democratically elected members.” Cllr Kell has urged Bolton Council to create a wind turbine policy following a number of applications in the turbines, but we are against those that cause problems to residents.

“Bolton Council does not yet have a policy for wind turbines. Other councils do, and most have at least a 400-metre minimum distance.

“This application is within that distance. We are objecting because we have genuine concerns, not because we want to object.”

Douglas Valley Golf Club director Julie Downes said: “We have a right to an appeal, and in view of the fact that officers have supported it on three occasions and the fact that there were far more letters of support than objections, we feel we’re doing it to safeguard a business that we’ve run for 20 years and the jobs of the people who work here.”