Wednesday April 28th - Decision Day

Wednesday April 28th is the day set aside by Oldham MBC to hold a special planning Committee to discuss United Utilities proposal to build 7 Giant 350 ft Wind Turbines on Denshaw Moor / Castleshaw Valley.

Queen Elizabeth Hall

The meeting will be held in the Queen Elizabeth Hall, next to Oldham Civic Centre. It can accommodate up to 1,000 members of the Public. We anticipate that the Planning Committee will begin its work at around 6.00pm but we have not had confirmation of this yet.

Only Item on Agenda

If, as we understand, this will be the only item on the agenda we can anticipate a thorough discussion in which our objections will be properly considered. We hope as many objectors as possible will attend. Even if you can't attend at the start its clearly worth coming alone during the course of the evening.

Still Time For Further Objections

Oldham MBC have indicated that the official deadline for objections is now February 21st but that they will still receive objections after that date until close to the April 28thmeeting. That gives time to send in further objections based on the comments of our consultant Geoff Sinclair. Alan Roughley has produced some suggested further grounds for objections based on Mr Sinclair's comments. (see attached) If you can use these comments to send in individual letters of objection ASAP that would be a very useful thing to do.

Cllr Jeremy Sutcliffe in Delph March 4th

Jeremy Sutcliffe, the Oldham Councillor in charge of Planning and Environmental Services at Oldham is attending a meeting of our fledgling Delph Community Association at Delph Band Club on Thursday March 4th at 7.30pm.

Not just Wind Turbines

All Delph residents are welcome to attend. While it is inevitable that the issue of the Wind Turbine complex will arise the meeting does have a number of important issues to consider. In particular the future of the Methodist Church Gardens in Gartside Street which is now being purchased for the community. Other issues like traffic and public transport are likely also figure high on the agenda.

Listening Exercise

Cllr Sutcliffe says wants to engage in a genuine listening exercise with local people in Delph. That's fine with us in Delph. We want a civilised dialogue with a positive outcome.

It also has to be borne in mind that Oldham Council and Saddleworth residents could very well be on the same side at a public enquiry if Oldham Planning Committee follow the precedents set by Rochdale, Buxton, Tameside, Kirklees, Calderdale and all the other Planning Bodies in the South Pennines that have rejected this part of the South Pennines as appropriate for this scale of Wind Farm development.

Correx 'Estate Agent 'Boards Now Available

Thanks to the tremendous response to our appeal for funds and a sell out fund-raising dinner with Bernard Ingham we have been able to order a good number of 'Estate Agent' style Correx Notice Boards.

These weather proof boards, the same size and material as Estate Agent Boards, are yellow and printed with our anti-wind turbine message in black. They come either printed on both sides for use on stakes or single sided print for use in windows or on flat surfaces etc.

If you can display a large board (s) in a garden, in a field, pinned to your gate or fence just contact me:

Cllr Ken Hulme 28 Sevenacres Delph OL3 5HU

Tel 01457 872859 Email: kenhulme@waitrose.com

Hike the Site -

Sunday April 18th

We are organising a mass ramble around the site of United Utilities proposed Giant Wind Turbine complex on Sunday April 18th starting at 11.00am.

Show of Strength

It will be a great opportunity to demonstrate the strength of feeling against this proposal throughout Oldham and beyond. We will be inviting David Bellamy and other well known supporters of our cause to join us. Members of the Civic & Archaeological Trusts and Historical Society will be providing a guided tour.

Massive Footprint

We will be able to demonstrate the massive 'footprint' these giant Turbines and their accompanying roads and ancillary buildings and structures will leave on this small area.

Delph Band Club

We will be setting out from Delph Band Club at approximately 11.00 am . The weather is guaranteed to be perfect.

Help Wanted

If this event really takes off as we anticipate we will need help from local volunteers to steward the walk, assist with first aid and transport etc.

Offers to: Ken Hulme 01457 872859