Saddleworth Moors Action Group
c/o Cllr Ken Hulme, 28 Sevenacres, Delph 0L3 5HU
Tel 01457 872859 Email kenhulme@waitrose.com
Opponent's of
United Utilities proposals to build 7 giant 350 ft Wind Turbines in one of the most scenic parts of the South
Pennines scored a major victory to-day (Friday) when the Peak District National
Park Authority at its Planning Control
Committee voted to STRONGLY object to the plans.
The Authorities
planning officers had recommended objection but the members of the Planning
Control Committee insisted that this be amended to STRONGLY object when they
heard of the full extent of United Utilities plans.
Saddleworth Parish Councillor Ken Hulme
was allowed to address the Planning Control Committee and present the local
objectors case. United Utilities were
absent from the meeting.
Cllr Hulme said
after the meeting ' I am delighted with the result. Planning Committee members clearly
recognised the immense and adverse impact
United Utilities proposal would have on the landscape. These giant
constructions would be visible from 30 square kilometres of the Peak District
National Park and at its nearest point would be less than 2.5 kilometres from
the Park. The Turbines would be prominently visible for over 12 kilometres of
the Pennine Way. They would
dramatically affect the visual setting of the Park.
United Utilities
have chosen one of highest possible sites to place one of their giant turbines.
They have shown total disregard for the impact on the landscape of Saddleworth
and the Peak District. Once again they have failed to turn up to argue their
case to a local planning body. They clearly don't think that organisations like
Saddleworth Parish Council or the Peak District National Park Authority are
worth wasting their time on.'
Oldham MBC remains
the determining body for this application and the final decision will be taken
at a special Planning Committee on April 28 . But the decision by as important a body as
the Peak District National Park Authority to object so strongly to the United
Utilities proposals cannot fail but to
have a major influence on the deliberations of Oldham Councillors.
Ends
For further information contact Ken Hulme 01457 872859