CHESHIRE villagers have joined forces and formed an action group to fight plans for a wind turbine in Mouldsworth.
Farmer Peter Willis, of Mouldworth Hall, Smithy Lane, has submitted a planning application for a single wind turbine on his land.
Local residents are furious that Mr Willis plans to build what they believe to be a ‘monstrous structure in the middle of the Cheshire Plain’ and have formed the Mouldsworth and Manley Action Group (MM Action Group) to fight the plans.
In a statement the group said: “The feelings within the local community are running high and rising. Some people are outraged that such a huge structure could even be considered in a picturesque village with utter total disregard for the local community at the expense of personal gain.”
The group says that villagers in Mouldsworth, Manley, Alvanley, Aston, Barrow, Dunham Hill, Kelsall and Mickle Trafford will be affected by the proposed wind turbine.
Peter and Karen Ball from Mouldsworth said in a letter to the Chronicle: “An object of this size will have an big impact on not only the views and environment in our village, but our many neighbours in other villages who look out and across the Cheshire countryside. We are also concerned about the ongoing noise generated by the rotor blades, day and night, which will significantly impact the lives of anyone in the neighbouring areas.”
James and Doris MacDougall, of Smithy Lane, Mouldsworth, said they objected to the plans and wrote: “The site selected for the turbine is one of the most beautiful and scenic areas in Cheshire. A wind turbine on this site would ruin the character of this countryside.”
Margaret Steward, of Well Lane in Mouldsworth, said: “We are just so upset and angry about this.”
She added: “We can’t let this happen. We have beautiful countryside here which would just be destroyed by the turbine.
“I understand Peter Willis has actually had an anemometer, which is 50ft high measuring wind speed behind his barn. He is meant to have planning permission for it, but doesn’t.”
A website will be set up shortly and a public meeting will be held locally on Wednesday, August 4, at 8pm at Manley Village Hall at which evidence from experts will show that a number of points presented to the planning office are flawed.
Eddisbury MP Stephen O’Brien said he recognises many people are very concerned about the proposal for a wind turbine at Mouldsworth Hall.
He said: “ I share my constituents concerns and don’t believe that this is a suitable location for a wind turbine of between 50-76 metres in height.
“I am opposed to land based wind turbines in principle because of their failure to pass the twin tests of economic and environmental sustainability.”
