What Happened In Wrightington?
A small number of residents received the news from West Lancashire Borough Council that an Application for 2 x 20m Wind Turbines, to be positioned close to the resident’s homes.
A number of residents took it upon themselves to research the impact of the success of this Application in terms of noise, health, visual amenity. An 84 page Application was posted on the Council’s website and so began the process of determining the facts.
Two of the residents began door to door knocking alert all concerned. This caused a snowball effect, bringing the community together and formed a strong knowledge base, with which to object.
The lack of pre-consultation with the neighbours, by the Farmer, prior to Application caused a great deal of anger. This is common and the anger must be channelled. The local Parish Council was contacted and a large number of residents attended a meeting prior to Christmas to show the strength of feeling and objections to this.
The Parish Council supported the residents and agreed to formally reject the idea to West Lancashire Borough Council.
On the 2nd January 2012, a residents meeting was planned at the Parish Hall for research to be shared. A leaflet drop of 150 posters was carried out home to home to ensure everyone was aware of the issue / meeting.
The residents were presented with the facts of the proposal along with advice on how to object effectively. Objections must be factual and linked to planning policy. Objections cannot be emotional. (Even though the subject is extremely emotive!).
A professional and informed approach to the Application ensured that all 104 objection letters were taken seriously by the Council. These statements, in addition to their own planning policies were included in the decision making process.
On the 23rd January 2012 the Application was formally rejected by the Council.
A second Application was submitted fo9r a 24.5m Wind Turbine,in August 2012, almost 200 resident objection letters and an MOD objection resulted in the the Withdrawl of this Application.
A third Application (Screening Opinion) has now been submitted, January 2013. This is for a 90m Wind Turbine.
The proposal has now been submitted to West Lancashire Borough Council.
The application was rejected in July 2013.
An appeal has now been submitted February 2014.
Wrightington Residents Against Turbines (The WRAT Pack)