NEWS FROM

Saddleworth Moors Action Group

 

www.noturbinesin.saddleworth.net

 October 2004

 

Decision Day

'Not Before November '

 

Following discussions between Cllr Mike Buckley and Oldham's Head of Planning Geoff Willerton it is clear that the decision on the future of United Utilities wind turbine plans for Denshaw Moor is unlikely to go before Oldham Planning Committee before November.

 

Can you Hear me Mother ?

 

The delay seems to be due to United Utilities failure to carry out key environment studies properly. Apparently Oldham asked UU for more information about the impact of their scheme last January. Particularly the sound impact. Only now does it seem that UU are getting around to doing these studies.

 

By a Babbling Brook

 

Background Noise is an important element of the environment study UU are expected to carry out as part of their planning application. To their credit Oldham Environment Officers have objected to UU's attempts to site their noise sensors in the most dubious places. We understand UU tried to place one by a reservoir outflow. Other sites Oldham apparently objected to included the middle of a small copse with the associated rustling leaves.

 

Preparing for Battle

 

Whenever the proposal finally comes before Oldham Planning Committee we must be prepared. Thanks to all those who at our recent meeting in Denshaw Village Hall offered to help in the forthcoming campaign. Overleaf is a list of all the areas and tasks we need volunteers for. We still need more willing bodies. If you can help in any way fill in the form and return it to :

 

Ken Hulme, 28 Sevenacres, Delph OL3 5HU

01457 872859.

Unitary Development

Plan

Objections

 

 

 Briefing   Meeting

Thursday September 28th

 

At last Oldham Council are replying to the thousands of  objections that were received to the 2nd Draft of the UDP.

 

'Positively Encouraging'

 

When it was published last year the new draft of the UDP caused outrage by seeking to weaken planning safeguards against Wind Turbine proposals  and by seeking  to 'positively encourage'  Wind Farm development throughout the Green  Belt in Oldham.

 

 1,000's of objections

 

Whatever else they did Oldham Planners positively encouraged thousands of objections to their hare brained plans to wreck the Saddleworth Moors by turning it into one huge Wind 'Farm'

 

Planners Gobbledegook

 

If you are an objector  to the second draft of Oldham's UDP and are confused  bt the planners response. Come to a special briefing we have organised to help cut through the jargon.

 

Thursday September 28

 

DENSHAW VILLAGE HALL @ 7.45 pm

 

With Cllrs Mike Buckley

& Ken Hulme