Help me stop the wind farm on the Frodsham and Helsby marshes

Dec 3 2009 by Paul Mannion, Chester Chronicle

Help me stop the wind farm

A PROTESTER has launched a public campaign against Peel Energy’s £50m wind farm proposal on the Frodsham and Helsby marshes.

Frodsham town councillor Tony Hinkins is calling for residents to rally against the plans and last week launched his campaign – distributing leaflets highlighting ‘the other side of the story’ – to coincide with Peel’s exhibitions.

“We need people who can help us lobby at all points in the decision-making process,” said Cllr Hinkins.

“They are showing callous disregard for our communities. These wind turbines will be 412ft – higher than the viewpoint from Frodsham Hill and higher than the tallest electricity pylon on the marshes.

“Their monstrous presence and their flickering as the blades rotate would be unacceptable. Noise from the turbines would also impact on residents and if they appear between homes and transmitters, television reception could be degraded.”

The group, which has not been named yet, is still in its early stages but Cllr Hinkins hopes the communities of Frodsham, Helsby and Elton will join him.

“We believe that in ten years’ time, wind energy will be seen as a passing fad that had little value,” he added. “We must not let things that are truly valuable to us be taken away in the current panic to satisfy government targets.

“The marshes may not look pretty but they are an important refuge for tens of thousands of birds and a key section of the green land, separating industry on either side – and when it is lost, it is lost forever.

“When this wind farm comes to the end of its life, who knows what could turn up in its place? A monster wind farm destroying our environment and important landscape – is this what you want?”