MP backs rejection of wind turbines
THE rejection of plans to build a wind farm on Green Belt land in West Lancashire have been welcomed by a local MP.
Coriolis Energy had applied for planning permission from West Lancashire Borough council to build 12 turbines, as the Lower Alt Wind Farm, to the west of Cabin Lane in Great Altcar.
But the plans for the masts, which would have been 120ft high, were refused by the council’s planning committee.
The energy firm said the wind turbines would have provided enough electricity to power 24,000 homes, while reducing energy bills locally and investing in green energy.
But councillors however decided that the scheme would be an unacceptable development on Green Belt land.
Sefton Central MP Bill Esterson said: “It was quite right that plans for 12 wind turbines to be built in West Lancashire were refused at the West Lancashire Borough Council planning committee meeting on Thursday, November 10.
“I completely understood the concerns raised by local residents and as I live in Maghull, I would have been able to see the turbines from my house as well.
“I was very pleased that the committee did what I had asked and considered the concerns raised by people in Lydiate, Maghull, Ince Blundell and Formby.
“Clearly, renewable energy has to be an important part of our future and we should not be allowing fracking.
“But the planned wind turbines were very close to residents and concerns about wildlife had not been addressed.
“Any future proposals for wind turbines must address the concerns raised and I shall be making this point to the energy companies.
“I hope that we are able to prevent the Government from introducing fracking with its unproven technology and also with its impact on climate change.
“Wind turbines are an important part of the future but this proposal was inappropriate and I am glad it has been rejected.
“Congratulations to everyone who campaigned against this planning application and I look forward to working with them in future to get the balance right between our need for clean energy and to mitigate the impact on existing communities.”