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The purpose of this website, designed by members of the local community, is to explain clearly for the benefit of local residents and visitors to this area ….
… and to seek your help in opposing this development.
As with many things, it’s all a question of balance and in this website we set out to  show that the harmful effects of the proposed development far outweigh the limited benefits of an industrial wind power station in Bickerton.
If you share our concerns, please take a few minutes to look at the site and click on the page entitled “Get involved” to see how you could help.
The stimulus for this new website was the 200ft high wind monitoring mast erected by Banks Developments in Bickerton at the end of January 2009.
To view a sketch map showing the approximate location of the wind monitoring mast, click here.
According to the developers, the mast has been erected to assess the type of wind on this site. This information will be used to ensure that any planned turbines have an appropriate design. It will also be a key factor when the developer is deciding whether to apply for planning permission for an industrial wind power station.
There are few instances where a developer has gone to the expense of erecting a wind monitoring mast without following up with a planning application for an industrial wind power station. We can assume with some certainty that a planning application will be submitted, probably between May and December 2009.
We believe that such an industrial development is totally inappropriate in an area recognised for its outstanding landscape. The proposed site lies between Bickerton Hill and Cholmondeley Park, two Areas of Special County Value for Landscape, and will be clearly visible to the thousands visitors who walk the Sandstone Trail nearby.
More than 200 small rural communities in the UK like Bickerton are being threatened by industrial wind power station developers. The process is well known and well documented. Following the installation of a wind monitoring mast, developers launch a “charm offensive” during which they attempt to promote the benefits of industrial wind power stations and play down the harm they can do to rural communities such as ours. Bearing in mind the enormous profits that developers can make, they spare no expense in mounting exhibitions to “consult” with the local community, sending out mail shots and offering goodwill payments to local organisations.
About Us
“Stop Bickerton Wind Turbines” or SBWT was born in January 2008. We are a membership association served by a committee currently made up of seven local residents. Officers and roles include:
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Chairman
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Deputy Chairman
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Secretary
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Deputy Secretary
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Treasurer
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Press Officer
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Webmaster
Our purpose is to protect and conserve the landscape, tranquillity and wildlife of the Bickerton Hill area for the benefit of local residents, local businesses and visitors.
Our immediate aim is to prevent the construction of a large industrial wind turbine power station on a site lying between and very close to Bickerton Hill (belonging to the National Trust) and Cholmondeley Park, both designated Areas of Special County Value for landscape.
Why is SBWT opposing this development?
As we've said already, it's all a question of balance and in this website we set out to  show that the harmful effects of the proposed development far outweigh the limited benefits of an industrial wind power station in Bickerton.
Each industrial wind turbine power station has its own particular set of issues which need to be researched thoroughly. SBWT is opposed to the Bickerton proposals because, if approved, they will have a major impact on the lives of residents and visitors to the communities of Bickerton, Cholmondeley, Brown Knowl, Bulkeley and Egerton for at least 25 years. Specifically, such a development would have a harmful impact on:
- the local landscape. Although we have no sight yet of the developer's plans, we do know that they are considering up to 5 industrial wind turbines and that the wind turbines proposed by them at another site are 125 metres (410 ft) high. Such wind turbines:
- Would dominate the surrounding landscape
- Would be almost as high as the Blackpool Tower or the same height as the Euston Tower office block which has 36 storeys
- Would stand taller than Bickerton Hill itself
- Would draw the eye because of the rotation of the blades (when the wind is blowing). These turbines would be visible from locations up to 20 miles away
- the health of local residents - mainly through the noise generated by the turbines (the blade tips travel at speeds of up to 150 mph)
- the value of properties in the area
- local businesses and employment
- birds and possibly other wildlife in the surrounding area
- local residents, students at the local school and visitors arising from flicker
- road safety, aircraft safety and other factors which we are currently researching
What is SBWT doing?
Our objectives are to ensure that any planning application/appeal for an industrial wind power station in Bickerton is rejected by:
- ensuring that local residents and visitors are aware of the issues impacting on them through public meetings, adverts, email newsletters and this website to engage their support. Stephen O'Brien, our local MP is actively supporting our campaign. To read his views, click here.
- engaging experienced specialists in the areas of planning, law, landscape, noise and renewable energy to fight our case
- raising the money required to fund these specialists and other aspects of our campaign
If you want to know more, please email us at
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