MP for Weaver Vale Graham Evans has slated Peele Wind Farm plans as “a blot on the landscape”

Feb 17 2011 by Rachel Flint, Chester Chronicle

A WIND farm on Frodsham Marshes would threaten a rare bird of prey, says the area’s MP.

Weaver Vale MP Graham Evans has attacked Peel Energy’s proposal to erect twenty 125 metre wind turbines as a ‘blot on the landscape of beautiful countryside’.

In a parliamentary debate, Mr Evans expressed concerns that the wind farms would destroy ‘an important wetland habitat for numerous bird species’.

“This year marsh harriers, which are birds of prey rarer than the golden eagle, nested successfully on the deposit bed where the majority of the wind turbines will be situated,” he said.

“Highly respected bodies such as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Natural England and the National Trust have objected vigorously to the proposal.

“These proposals in my constituency would lead to the construction of England’s second largest wind farm less than 2km from 14,000 of my constituents’ homes.”

He added: “Anyone local to the area knows that the Green Belt is an essential green lung sandwiched between the refineries of Ellesmere Port and the chemical works at Runcorn.”

Cheshire West and Chester Council objected to the plans in 2009 and requested a report to see if the application was lawful due to potential harm to protected species.

The plan is subject to a public inquiry and will go before Energy Secretary Chris Huhne.

Cheshire Wildlife Trust, The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Natural England and the National Trust have all objected to Peele’s application.

Tim Melling, senior conservation officer for the RSPB said: “The Mersey estuary has the highest level of protection of any site in the area. It supports thousands of birds from all over the world.”

“If something happens to the estuary, such as the wind farm which means 100 hectares will not be habitable, it is not just our birds that will be affected it will be thousands from across the world.”

Stephen Snowdon, Peel Energy development manager, said: “We continue to prepare for the public inquiry and have confidence that the completed technical and environmental surveys demonstrate this is a suitable site for wind energy generation, and an excellent opportunity for Cheshire to contribute towards greater UK energy security.”