VILLAGERS held a meeting last night (Wednesday August 4) to discuss a farmers’ plan to erect a wind turbine on his land in Mouldsworth.

The Mouldsworth and Manley Action Group (MM Action Group) organised the meeting at Manley Village Hall to give residents the chance to discuss the impact of the turbine on the village. The group invited a number of experts to the meeting to discuss the application which has been submitted to the planning authority.

Farmer Peter Willis, of Mouldsworth Hall, Smithy Lane has submitted a planning application for a single wind turbine on his land. The action group claims that the Enercon E-48 turbine hub would be between 50 metres and 76 metres or 164 ft and 247 ft tall and in addition the rotor blades measures 48 metres or 158ft in diameter making it in total between 243ft to 326ft tall in total.

In a statement the group said: “Many people are no doubt aware of the implications of noise to surrounding houses, loss of habitat of wildlife, bridal and footpaths not to mention the loss of public view by many villagers in Mouldsworth, Manley and surrounding villages.

“There are many alternative ways in which green renewable energy can be harnessed without the need for such inefficient intrusive structures to be erected in our beautiful countryside.”

Throughout the village the action group has erected signs informing passing motorists of the plan.