BLEAKHOUSE WIND FARM ACTION GROUP (BWFAG)

[Bev]

I remember someone saying - either at the meeting I attended, or somewhere on-line - that there was something said in the past about an agreement NOT to build on the Bleakhouse site after the opencast mining had been finished. Now while this doesn't exactly say that it shouldn't be built on, I thought I'd share this page I found on the LDC website, as it does cover the area in question.

This may be irrelevant to the cause of fighting the proposed wind farm, but I'd rather share than not in case it is useful.

[link to page on LDC's website]

Policy B.4: Bleak House Opencast Site
In the restoration and after-use of the Bleak House site the District Council will seek to promote and implement the policies of the Forest of Mercia, specifically including :-

1. The creation of heathland and woodland links.

2. The retention and enhancement of nature conservation interest.

3. The creation of appropriate access and recreational opportunities.

Explanation

12.17 Planning permission was granted in 1992 for opencast coal mining at Bleak House, which lies to the north-west of Chase Terrace. The site granted planning permission was for an area smaller than the original proposals for the area. Whilst the District Council recognises that the County Council is the Minerals Authority responsible for the grant of planning permission, nevertheless the District Council considers that any extension of the area of workings would be inappropriate, prolonging and potentially extending the detrimental effect upon Sites of Special Scientific Interest. It would result in a further intrusion into the countryside and would be likely to affect existing and proposed residential areas in Chase Terrace by virtue of noise, dust etc.

12.18 The area of the approved opencast working lies within the Forest of Mercia and restoration proposals should take the opportunity of making a major contribution to the aims of the Forest including heathland, woodland and improved countryside access.

[biggdave]

And your point is?

This is for Lichfield District Council, they are not the planning authority. In any case if you read the planning application you will be able to work out for yourself that the wind farm does not contradict the planning policies. In fact it will support it.

Honestly, the reasons for objecting to this wind farm are lame in the extreme.

[Bev]

And your point is?

My point is that it may have been what was being referred to, and so I thought I'd share it just in case.

Am I to presume that you have a problem with me sharing what I've already said may be (and so, conversely, may not be) relevant to a conversation that's occurred?

Honestly, the reasons for objecting to this wind farm are lame in the extreme.

Which is, I presume, your opinion, and one which in no way means that others can't hold a different opinion.

[biggdave]

I don't have an issue with people putting forward their opinion or putting forward information. But you need to make sure that the infomation is relevant and factual. While the point is factually correct it is irrelevant and anyone reading should treat it as such.