September 12, 2012
England

Wind turbine planning application near Wirral Way withdrawn

by Linda Foo Guest, Heswall News | www.wirralnews.co.uk 12 September 2012

A planning application to build wind turbines close to the Wirral Way has been withdrawn.

The University of Liverpool wanted to install two turbines on land between Cuckoo Lane and Woodfall Lane.

The path, which stretches from West Kirby to Hooton, is popular with dog walkers, families, cyclists and horse riders.

Hundreds of locals objected to the plans so strongly that the closing date for consultation on the proposals was pushed back from July 24 to August 9.

Protesters said the turbines would be too close to houses, as well as being an intrusion on green belt land, destroying wildlife and disrupting local bird populations.

The turbines were to be sited at the university’s veterinary surgery Leahurst.

The application was withdrawn from Cheshire West and Chester Council (CW&CC) on September 3.

Neil Heather, chair of Ness Conservation Society, feared the blades could stand 350feet above sea level – endangering birds, especially the migration route from the Dee estuary.

He said: “We all put objections in to the council, which must have run into 300 plus opposing it.

“We received a letter from the council saying it has been withdrawn.

“It is good news but we need to be vigilant in case they submit a revised plan.

“There is still a lot of local opposition and at the moment people are delighted it has been withdrawn.

“But we will have to see if the university come up with a new proposal.

“I heard the application was going to be rejected by CW&CC if they hadn’t withdrew it.

“Perhaps if they are thinking of submitting another application, they could arrange a meeting and speak to people first about the revised plan.”

Neston Town Council had recommended for CW&CC to reject the proposal under the grounds it was an inappropriate site for the turbines, they would be out of character with the local environment and the expected noise levels would be unacceptable to nearby neighbours.

Liverpool University told the News they have temporarily withdrawn it to carry out further surveys requested by the council.

A university spokeswoman added: “The university has temporarily withdrawn its planning application in order to undertake further surveys requested by the local authority.

“Sustainability is a high priority for the university particularly in terms of the future development of our estate.

“We will continue to work with the local authority to develop sustainable energy solutions for our Leahurst campus.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/09/12/wind-turbine-planning-application-near-wirral-way-withdrawn/