Formby Labour Action Team urges residents to attend exhibitions of plans to build windfarm between Lydiate, Ince Blundell and Formby

Sefton Central Labour Action Teams are encouraging people to attend a series of public exhibitions to find out more about proposals to create a windfarm that runs along the Cheshire Lines between Lydiate and Formby.

The windfarm, which is being proposed by Coriolis Energy, is expected to include up to 24 wind turbines which would be up to 136.5m tall.

Coriolis say each turbine will be able to generate enough electricity for approximately 1,162 homes. The windfarm itself is expected to generate enough electricity for 27,000 homes.

As the land itself falls just outside of the Sefton boundary, it will be West Lancs planning committee who will decide whether the plans are given the greenlight.

Sefton Central Labour MP Bill Esterson, whose constituency includes Maghull, Lydiate, Ince Blundell and Formby, has written to West Lancs planning department to pass on some of the concerns of residents within his constituency.

Bill said: "I have received a number of emails and letters from residents who are concerned about the impact of these plans on their community.

"I have written to West Lancs Planning Department to detail these concerns and urge them to take into consideration the views and concerns from my constituents before making a decision. These concerns include the visual impact of the windfarm, the loss of prime agricultural land to the turbines and the ecological impact of the farm.

"This is a major development which will have an impact on a number of communities in Sefton Central. The viewpoints of the people in these communities must be heard. The planning committee needs to balance the impact on the community and the landscape against the potential benefits of renewable energy."

Ravenmeols Ward Labour Councillor Peter Maguire, whose ward includes Formby, Altcar and Ince Blundell, said residents had already contacted him with concerns.

Cllr Maguire said: "People have raised concerns with me about the disruption the building of a farm of this size will have on this area. The transportation of materials including parts such as propellers will go through the Thornton relief road. What disruption will this cause, people are asking? 

"This is obviously a major concern, as is the fact that this proposal is yet another development earmarked for greenbelt land.

"I am also concerned at the lack of communication from West Lancs Council in relation to this proposal. Sefton Council should have been better informed about such a large scale proposal right here on our doorstep.

"Together with my Labour colleagues, I am compiling people's views on these plans to present to West Lancs before the proposals are decided upon.

"I urge everyone to let us me know their views by email."

Bill Esterson is also encouraging people to attend one of the public exhibitions which Coriolis has planned:

  Thursday, April 25 - 5-7pm at Leverhulme Hall, Lord Sefton Way, Great Altcar.
  Friday, April 26 - 4-8pm at Ince Blundell Village Hall, Victoria Road.
  Saturday, April 27 - 10-2pm at Lydiate Parish Hall, Southport Road, Lydiate.

 
Bill said: "People throughout Formby, Lydiate, Maghull, Ince Blundell and Lunt need to go along to one of the public exhibitions to see for themselves the plans and to ask questions of the company representatives who will be there.

"Then please feed back your views to the Labour Action Team and we will make sure that West Lancs listen to those views.

"It is crucial that everyone has a say before the decision is made."

To send your views to Bill Esterson, email bill.esterson.mp@parliament.uk or email Sefton Central Labour at SeftonCentralLabour@gmail.com

Fire on Kirkstall Drive, Formby

I have been contacted by a few residents about a recent fire in the passageway on Kirkstall Drive which is adjacent to the Formby Bypass.

I have informed the Fire Service who will be visiting the site and will be speaking to local residents in the next few days.