The Council was asked for its views by the Government, which is considering the application by Peel Energy. The objection will now trigger a public inquiry.
Frodsham & Helsby Conservative Councillor Les Ford told the meeting “The Green Belt was established to prevent industrialisation of this area. The wind turbines are an industrial element quite contrary to our Green Belt policy. No mitigation is possible. Also the low frequency noise of the turbines will penetrate house walls and travel a great distance.”
The turbines have a maximum height of 80 metres to the hub and 125 metres to the tip, giving a rotor radius of approximately 45 metres. They would be three bladed and grey in colour.
They could be seen from Helsby Hill, the Northern Sandstone Ridge and the Frodsham Sandstone Fringe.
Approximately 4,498 homes would be within 2km of any proposed turbines. The residential assessment has identified that 36 percent would experience changes in views.
The committee considered that the wider benefits of the renewable energy development in this case were outweighed by considerations including the North Cheshire Green Belt, the Mersey Estuary Zone, designate sites of international and national nature conservation importance and the development would adversely affect the setting of Helsby Hill, a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
Graham commented “I am very pleased that the Council has backed local residents and is opposing these poorly thought out plans. This strikes a real contrast with Labour Councillors in Halton who are supporting the wind farm.”
“The turbines would only generate power around 25% of the time but would ruin a beautiful piece of countryside 100% of the time.”