Press Information 6/4/04

 

Now Rochdale MBC objects to Denshaw Wind Turbines.

 Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council have now joined the long list of organisations opposing United Utilities plans to site 7 Giant 350 ft Wind Turbines in one of the most beautiful spots in the South Pennines. In a report which was approved by Rochdale's Pennine Township Planning Sub-Committee on March 31^st  the report of the Head of Planning and Regulation Services recommended:

 That 'the Council raises its concern about the likely harmful impact of the proposed windfarm development upon the visual amenities of the landscape quality of the area around the application site'

 The report goes on to criticise United Utilities because they ' have under estimated the likely harm that would be likely to be caused to the visual amenity of the area around the application site. '……..' In my view the likely effect of the proposed windfarm upon the visual amenities of residents who live in close proximity to the site and those people who would pass the site as motorists, walkers, cyclists and horseriders etc is generally underestimated'

 The report then goes on to state ' I consider that its ( United Utilities Environmental Statement) conclusions about the degree of likely harmful effects of the development are flawed.' and it concludes ' should be treated with caution'

 Local Saddleworth Parish Councillor Ken Hulme warmly welcomed the report from Rochdale's Planning Officers .  ' This is an excellent report which exposes United Utilities Environmental Statement for the Dodgy  Dossier it is and I hope Oldham Planners and Councillors will take careful note of it.  This follows objections to the Denshaw proposals from the Peak District National Park Authority and the rejection of similar schemes by local authorities in Burnley and Buxton .

 There is now a long line up of objectors to United Utilities  scheme including: local MP Phil Woolas, Saddleworth Parish Council, The Ramblers Association, Saddleworth Civic Trust, Saddleworth Archaeological Trust  Denshaw Community Association, Delph Community Association , The local Labour, Liberal Democrat and Conservative Parties, and well over a thousand individual objectors. There has never been such strong united opposition to any planning  proposal in Saddleworth before. 

United Utilities 'flawed' proposals should indeed be treated with caution - and rejected !

 Ends

For further details contact  Cllr Ken Hulme  01457 872859

Rochdale Council Planning Department  (Richard Butler 01706 864310)