July 11, 2013
England

Turbine bid revival by university

Jul 10 2013 Heswall News | www.wirralnews.co.uk

A plan to put two wind turbines close to a stretch of the Wirral Way is under way again.

Liverpool University held a consultation in Neston showing proposals to install two wind turbines on Woodpark Farm, based at the Leahurst campus.

A planning application has yet to be submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council.

This latest development has caused outrage from locals and comes after the university withdrew a previous application last September.

Protesters say the latest scheme is the same as the previous application.

Conservationists warn that the plans will destroy wildlife and disrupt local bird populations.

Little Neston resident Catherine Renfrey said: “There is considerable opposition from residents of Ness and Little Neston, including Burton and the wider area.

“The university have carried out a wildlife survey and an acoustic survey to measure ambient noise.

“But they haven’t taken into account the geese flying over in late September to October or the migrating wheatears. We also have rare yellowhammers nesting in spring so they haven’t considered them either.

“The consultation report showed the turbines would be sited 320 metres from the nearest house.

“American research shows they have been known to cause a significant increase in arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), insomnia and hyperactivity in children to people who live near them.”

On behalf of the university, consultants AA Projects held the consultation at Neston Library last week.

The turbines would be put on land between Cuckoo Lane and Woodfall Lane, near Woodfall Primary School.

The Wirral Way, which stretches from West Kirby to Hooton, is used by dog walkers, families, cyclists and horse riders.

Neil Heather, of Ness Conservation Society, said: “These plans are exactly the same as before. They haven’t put a planning application in yet.

“Consultants held a presentation and people were able to write comments and post them in a box. Representatives were there to answer any questions too.

“The proposals included a study carried out, which was requested by the council, measuring background noise. It also included a bird survey, but it only covered a maximum of five months from November to March. It wasn’t a full year’s survey.

“It is very disappointing to see the university trying again. Whether they take heed on our comments we have yet to find out.

“It is a question of wait and see. It seems they are very determined to press on with it.”

Liverpool University was contacted but did not want to comment on the plan.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/07/11/turbine-bid-revival-by-university/