Wind farm protesters 'will be heard'

Planners have moved to reassure campaigners against plans for a Staffordshire wind farm that their objections will be heard.

Protesters have called on Cannock Chase Council to extend a deadline of February 11.

That was a deadline for objections to a planning application for three wind turbines at the former Bleak House opencast coal mine, between Heath Hayes and Burntwood. The application, by power firm Howarth Power is not due to be heard until April at the earliest.

Campaigners were angry about the short consultation period.

Sandra Richards, spokesman for Cannock Chase Council, said: "The planning authority consulted extensively by sending letters to approximately 1,800 residents and other consultees on January 10.

"The consultation period expires on February 11. The time given was longer than the normal consultation period.

"It is likely the planning application will not be put before the planning control committee until March or April 2008.

"As such, the council will still consider representations made to it until the matter is submitted to the committee."She added: "Following the initial consultation period other organisations and consultees also asked to be consulted. Letters were sent to those individuals and groups also allowing them 28 days to respond."

Keith Faulkner, from Littleworth Road, urged people affected by the plan, including those living in Chase Terrace to write in and object.

Mr Faulkner, aged 61, said many people were still unaware of the plans and only received the letters from the council in the last few weeks.

Howarth Power have submitted the application for the turbines which will stand 64 metres high.

Each turbine would have three rotor blades with an overall diameter of 84 metres meaning the maximum height when the blade is at the top of its revolution would be 102 metres.

The plans have been criticised because the site is a greenbelt piece of land of special scientific interest. Critics say the turbines would impact on the local wildlife.

By Shaun Lintern