TOWNSFOLK are divided over whether to spend £15,000 fighting plans for a ‘giant’ wind farm on Frodsham Marshes.
Campaigners against Peel Energy’s plans to erect 20 wind turbines ‘almost as tall as Frodsham Hill’ have met fierce opposition from residents concerned about wasting their council tax.
A motion to spend £15,000 of the Frodsham Town Council budget on an expert planning consultant for the upcoming public inquiry has divided the town.
Feedback from an informal survey revealed a 50/50 split for and against the plans.
David Hardman, co-chairman of pro-wind farm pressure group Reuse (Residents Encouraging the Use of Sustainable Energy) slated the proposed expense as a ‘ridiculous waste of money’.
He added: “We don’t need to spend that kind of money. The Government already has all the (expert) information it needs.
“The council should be using that money for something more useful, like negotiating with Peel what money the community will receive if the wind farm is built. We know one turbine generates millions over 25 years – which they’re putting into a community fund – but we’ve never had the actual sum promised in writing.”
Councillors have already agreed to donate £1,000 to the Residents Against the Windfarm Group (RAW) to help fund their expenses in preparing evidence for the public inquiry in November.
Mayor Andrew Dawson will use his skills as a lawyer to put forward the town council’s objections.
He said: “Some feel we should put some money to hire a consultant to help put the town’s views across.”
The decision on whether to fork out for a consultant will be decided next month.
The public inquiry into Peel’s plans runs from November 22 to December 23. Interested residents are urged to attend a pre-inquiry meeting on September 14 at the Holiday Inn, Runcorn.
