I am here to speak on behalf of the hundreds of constituents in Frodsham, Helsby and further afield who have contacted me or signed petitions to oppose this wind farm proposal. As the local Member of Parliament, I have consistently supported residents on this matter, including contributions to a number of Westminster Hall debates on the subject and numerous representations to the Secretary of State and the appropriate Minister.
The proposal continues to generate significant local interest. The representatives from Residents Against The Wind Farm (RAW) and other local residents who have attended and given evidence at this inquiry are not a narrow sectional interest; they are genuinely representative of the views of the overwhelming majority of local residents in Frodsham, Helsby and Runcorn, and they have made evidence-based, sensible objections.
RAW are not here because they are being paid or out of self-interest, but to support the community in which they live. They have given their time as volunteers and their commitment and concern is to be greatly commended.
I have a strong commitment to ensuring that local communities and Councils are empowered. It is vital that the views of residents are not simply ignored, and that planning decisions are not rammed through despite overwhelming local opposition.
The Strategic Planning Committee for Cheshire West and Chester Council discussed and debated this application properly, openly and transparently, and they indicated that they did not wish to see this proposal proceed. Council officers throughout this inquiry have defended a decision made fairly and democratically by local Councillors in accordance with the relevant planning guidance.
I wish to outline briefly what my constituents have said to me.
I agree with residents who are concerned about the future of the marshes, which are an important wetland area for numerous species of birds. Furthermore, the marshes are an area of natural beauty which acts as a vital ‘green lung’ sandwiched between the refineries of Ellesmere Port and the chemical works at Runcorn. Their loss would not just destroy the habitat of wildlife, but it would have a detrimental effect on the health and quality of life of my constituents living in Frodsham and Helsby.
In addition, there have been growing concerns among experts and the local community about the health impact of Aerodynamic Modulation of wind turbine noise, with reported cases of sleep disturbance and ill health. I understand that residents of Frodsham and Helsby would be particularly vulnerable to such effects if the proposals were to go ahead, as the towns would be trapped in a narrow corridor less than a mile wide between the wind turbines and the sandstone cliffs behind them. The proposal is less than 2 km from thousands of my constituents' homes.
This noise would be compounded by the existing noise from the M56 motorway, and remains a significant concern for the local community. Indeed, only this week I received a further e-mail from a concerned Frodsham resident drawing my attention to a High Court settlement agreed with Lincolnshire couple Sarah Jane and Julian Davis only a few weeks ago.
Residents have also contacted me about the recent wind farm malfunctions in heavy weather conditions. It remains a topic on the lips of many if not most local residents in Frodsham and Helsby.
To conclude, the Council’s planning committee have made their views clear, and the local community have also expressed their overwhelming opposition.
I hope that the end result of this inquiry process reinforces the views outlined by both the Council and residents, and rejects this application which is poorly-thought-out and inappropriate for the local area.