CONTROVERSIAL wind turbines are still on the agenda for Cheshire despite the recent withdrawal of plans at Bickerton.
Government targets for renewable energy produced by the county must still be met but Cheshire West and Chester Council officials would not be drawn on whether they are now under pressure to grant planning permission to future wind farm developers.
With potential sites still active in Frodsham and Rushton, near Tarporley, all eyes will be on CWaC to see whether wind farms will become a permanent feature of the county’s countryside.
A council spokesman said: “Renewable energy will be a vital part of our energy mix to secure a low carbon future.
“As well as contributing towards the security our future energy supply it can, in addition, support the creation of new jobs and enhance our competitiveness.
“Particularly in the case of large scale renewable energy developments, the potential wider environmental considerations have to be weighed carefully with the other, more local and sometimes adverse impacts.
“Each case has to be looked at carefully and on its own merits taking into account a range of considerations.”
Charity group Campaign to Protect Rural Cheshire also recognises the future role to be played by wind farms but opposed any development planned for popular beauty-spots.
A spokesman said: “We are fully in support of appropriately sited wind turbines. However, it is vital to look at the effect on local residents and the landscape impact. There are beautiful parts of Cheshire where the landscape has a real value. We will support residents to make sure this is not overlooked.”
