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The Champion • Wednesday 1 May 2013
Proposals to build 24 wind
turbines met with shock
‘Overwhelming’
negative response
from residents
Report by David Raven
RESIDENTS were shocked to see the true scale
of proposals to build a new wind farm between
Lydiate, Formby and Ince Blundell.
Falck Renewables and Coriolis are asking
those in the area what they think of the plans to
build 24 wind turbines up to 136.5m high.
But local councillors and the area’s MP Bill
Esterson, said there was an ‘overwhelming’
negative response by residents who attended
meetings held this week to showcase the
proposals.
The Ministry of Defence, Liverpool Airport,
Sefton Council and the RSPB have already
raised concerns about the wind farm, claiming
it could pose a safety risk to pilots and birds.
Lydiate councillor Tony Robertson also
voiced concerns that future generations would
be losing out on high grade agricultural land.
He said: “Listening to conversations it was
clear that the community clearly has
understandable concerns and objections to the
proposals.
“The before and after views of what the
landscape would look like if the wind farm gets
MAGHULL Town Hall is the place to be this
coming Bank Holiday as Sefton Art Group
holds its spring exhibition from Saturday,
May 4 till Monday, May 6.
The group, one of the largest art groups in
the North West, is growing all the time and
Roy Munday, who tutors the artists, told the
Champion: “Each year we attract more
members and now hold classes throughout
Sefton and in Liverpool. Also we have a
further expansion starting this month (May)
at the newly refurbished Atkinson Art
Centre in Southport.”
Now the group has been asked to stage the
new venue’s first big attraction throughout
August. “We are also exhibiting at several
other locations – so we are gearing up for a
very busy time,” said Roy.
And in a separate move, the Sefton Art
Group is working with community
organisations including Maghull in Bloom,
local schools and in supporting local
charities.
“This year, some of the money raised
through the sale of paintings will be
the go ahead were particularly drawing
attention and a few gasps.
“My greatest concern is that future
generations will need the high grade
agricultural land when importing food
becomes too expensive due to fuel costs and
environmental considerations.”
Sefton Central MP Bill Esterson said: “I spoke
to lots of residents from Lydiate, Maghull, Ince
Blundell, Lunt and Formby, all of whom were
against the scheme.
“In addition to that, I received, and continue
to receive, lots and lots of emails from residents
also sharing their concerns.
“When I attended the public exhibition, I
could understand why people are worried.
“These turbines would be a similar height to
St John’s Beacon in Liverpool. And there would
be as many as 24 of them.
“The energy company’s own graphic
illustrations of the turbines show them
dominating the Sefton landscape, visible from
every corner of my constituency and beyond
into the rest of Sefton, West Lancashire and
even further than that.
“Lots of people who attended the exhibitions
have been shocked by the scale of the turbines.
“Each resident echoes the concerns of the
next. One described the plans as a ‘kick in the
guts’. Another said they will destroy the ‘rural
charm of Sefton’. Yet another described them
as an ‘unnatural, industrial–scale blot on the
landscape’.
“This is the immediate response of people
who live here. As a result it is my duty to make
sure that the planning committee in West
donated to the Ronald McDonald House at
Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. They
provide flats at the hospital for parents of
seriously ill children,” Roy said.
The group caters for both beginners and
more advanced artists, especially those
M
MP Bill Esterson at the wind farm exhibition
Lancashire Council considers their views.
“People also raised concerns about the loss of
high–grade agricultural land, the impact of
such large turbines on those living closest as a
result of their visual impact and the persistent
sound that they generate. I trust that West
Lancs, as the planning authority responsible,
will take these issues into account before
making any decision.”
Vicky Portwain, development director of
Coriolis said: “This is the start of the
consultation process, and there will be further
opportunities for residents, parish councils and
other important stakeholders to help us design
a proposal that is sensitive to the local area.”
When the consultation process is finished it is
thought the companies will submit a planning
application later in the year.
Art group going from strength to strength
Report by Jim Sharpe
Work together plea
EVERYBODY in Lydiate needs to work
together to ensure that the village remains a
desirable place to work, rest and play
according to Parish Council chairman,
Councillor David Russell.
Giving his annual report at the Lydiate
Village Centre, Cllr Russell said: “We need
to work together to decide which way our
future unfolds. We cannot afford to sit back
and hope, we owe it to future generations to
make clear thought out decisions now.”
Cllr Russell said the council has had to
consider the future and the changes that are
threatening to change the face of Lydiate.
“New houses on our Greenbelt land (and)
dramatic cuts next year and the year after to
our budget.
“These are the two areas which will be
concentrating the minds of councillors and
residents over the coming months,” he said.
editorial@champnews.com
Sefton Art Group members with tutor Roy Munday (right) who are getting ready for their
forthcoming show at Maghull Town Hall commencing May 4.
Code1058158
seeking exhibition opportunities.
Sefton Art Group is supported by Maghull
Town Council and Sefton Arts. Exhibition
opening times are 10am – 4.30pm. Entrance
is free. For more information visit
www.seftonartgroup.co.uk
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