Un-elected officials decide on turbines?    

Jun 2 2008 by William Green, The Journal

GORDON Brown is facing a Labour revolt over proposals to hand un-elected officials the final planning decision on major wind farms and other key projects. Nine of the region's Labour MPs have signed a Parliamentary motion, along with 54 colleagues, expressing alarm over the proposed Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC). Ministers insist the shake-up will make the planning process faster and cheaper, but the motion - signed by 106 MPs overall - warns it would give the independent IPC "inordinate and unprecedented" powers to push through developments against public opposition.

Darrington Parish Council Garden Competition 2008

Residents of West Park Hamlet are now eligible to enter this competition and should download an application form or contact Andy Tagger or any Parish Councillor. Judging will start on Sunday June 29th around 10:00am For further details please go to the Parish Council Web Site at Darrington.org.uk

Couple's battle continues over wind turbine noise

The following press release is relevant to Westfield Lane because we will have houses 500m from the turbines, much closer than the people in this article.

Couple's battle continues over wind turbine noise
29 April 2008
By Tom Hughes (extracted from Lincolnshire Free Press)

It's back to square one, but a step in the right direction, for a couple who are fighting to save their home from the blight of wind turbines.

Campaigners fighting a controversial wind farm development have received a welcome boost after several high-profile figures added their backing to the cause.

Pontefract Windfarm Action Group (PWAG), led by residents from Darrington, West Park, Wentbridge, Carleton and East Hardwick, are battling the development of a 125m high wind farm at Westfield Lane, Darrington.

An environmental necessity or a blot on the landscape?

Sarah Freeman reports on how wind farms became one of the hottest topics on the green agenda.
The battle lines have been drawn and neither side appears in the mood for compromise.

Once seen as a flight of fancy by an environmentalist minority, wind farms have graduated to the mainstream and are now increasingly seen as playing a vital part of future energy plans. But not everyone is happy.
While supporters wax lyrical about how England's 137 turbines are an aesthetically pleasing solution to the need for more renewable energy, opponents remain unconvinced.

A response at last from Banks!

Banks Developments have at last responded to P.W.A.G's Objection Document by engaging an Environment and Planning Consultant to comment on our assertions that Went Edge and the surrounding communities would be devastated by the proposal.

PWAG have successful day in Pontefract.

The Pontefract Windfarm Action Group (PWAG) opened a stall on Pontefract market over the last two weeks to make shoppers aware of the implications of the proposed windfarm to be sited at Westfield Lane Darrington. Over the two weeks, they managed to collect over 1,000 signatures opposing the development. For more information please visit their website at www.pwag.co.uk

Yvette Cooper in Pontefract Tomorrow
(Saturday 19th April),

I understand Yvette Cooper will be in Pontefract tomorrow re local elections. In the past she has met people outside Argos usually in the morning.
If you are in town tomorrow and have the time and inclination would it be possible to speak to Yvette about your concerns regarding the Wind Farm so that once again the profile of the campaign can be raised? Also, if possible, can you pass this message on to others.

The date for the planning application has been extended to the 30th June 2008.

The plans were also re-advertised in the local press on Thursday 10th April. This is to give the public access to amended plans made by Banks.
"07/01338FUL - Westfield Lane (Land Off) Darrington West Yorkshire - Erection of 6 wind turbines, highway access, junction improvement and ancillary development - Banks Renewables - (AP) - (Officer: Becky Walker - Telephone:01924 306359)"
Government guidelines require that most simple planning applications submitted to a council for consideration should be dealt with within 8 weeks. More complicated ones are allowed up to 12 weeks, like this wind farm application.
The original application went in on 03/05/2007 and a closure date of 23/08/2007 was given.
W.M.D.C planning department faced with a tremendous amount of work in considering this application asked for an extension to the end of January 2008, then a second to the end of March 2008 and now a third to the end of June 2008.
The developer has the right to bypass the council once any agreed date has been passed and go directly to a government inspector for him/her to make a decision, but a large application like this would most likely go to a public inquiry.
In assessing an application like this a planning department has to ask many statutory consultees for their recommendations or comments. Departments like power and water suppliers, airports and radar controllers plus many other technical bodies and local businesses.
They also have to take into account public opinion, so we urge you to write in and object to this large industrial development threatening to literally overshadow our lives and homes.

Click Here to download your objection letter.