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Peel Energy’s planning application for 20 turbines was submitted to the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) for determination in February this year. Cheshire West and Chester Council, along with other statutory consultees such as Natural England, must examine the application and make a formal recommendation to DECC.
The Cheshire West and Chester Council Planning Committee have voted today to formally object to the proposals.
The decision by the Planning Committee means that the proposals will now be considered by a planning inspector at a public inquiry before the final decision is made by the Secretary of State.
Stephen Snowdon, Peel Energy Development Manager, said:
“The application will continue to progress through the statutory process for determination.
There is an accepted planning need for the UK to develop more on-shore wind farms to tackle challenges in providing affordable renewable electricity and reducing greenhouse gas emission that, if unmet, could impact on us all.
As such the proposals deserve the highest level of consideration through a public inquiry.
“A public inquiry will provide an opportunity for us to present the evidence that we believe will demonstrate that the site is a suitable location for a wind farm.
There are many supporters of this scheme in the local community who recognise the importance of Cheshire playing its part in meeting national renewable energy obligations, securing energy supplies and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
We look to build on this support and hope that we can deliver what would be Cheshire’s first significant wind farm.”
If approved, the scheme would generate enough electricity to meet the average needs of approximately 28,500 homes - more than one fifth of the homes in Cheshire West & Chester.
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