OPPONENTS of an approved scheme for wind turbines to be built on land at Wallasey claim they were not consulted.

The plans will see the construction of five, 50ft-tall turbines on land next to the former Max Spielman building on Cross Lane.

An application to build the power-generating towers was submitted by a local business, which wants to be entirely self-sufficient for electricity, and subsequently agreed by Wirral Council.

Agreement to proceed was made under “delegated powers” which allow town hall planning officers to determine an application without the need for it to go before the planning committee.

Householders say they were unaware of the scheme and are now extremely unhappy, claiming the structures’ sweeping blades will create constant noise as well as being visually intrusive.

One, who asked not to be named, said residents have now written to the local authority complaining they were not informed of the proposals: “They just haven’t consulted with us about this at all.

“I’ve spoken with several people in this area and none of them knew anything about it.

“These turbines have been approved now so there’s probably not a lot we can do at this stage.

“We just want to make sure the council consults properly with people before pushing these things through the system.”

Permission was rubber-stamped at the council’s cabinet meeting of April 12 and a list of conditions imposed which must be met by developers.

The council disagrees consultation had not been thorough.

A spokeswoman said: “The standard consultation for any non-major planning application was undertaken.

"The adjacent property received a letter and a notice was put up at the site to let people know about the proposals.

“The council also notified Wirral Wildlife and consulted the Environment Agency, National Air Traffic Services and Merseyside Environmental Advisory Service prior to making a decision.”

The spokeswoman said no letters objecting to the scheme were received.

Paul Kenny from West Wallasey Fleet Hire, the company given permission to build the turbines as part of a proposed vehicle park, said: "We are pleased to have received planning permission for the installation of a number of small wind turbines close to the premises.

"As a major employer in the area, West Wallasey recognises that it has social responsibilities and environmental sustainability is a key driving force for the business.

"The company strives to be at the forefront of sustainable initiatives and the power generated by the turbines would make West Wallasey the first vehicle rental company in the UK to be entirely self-sufficient for electricity.

"In the future, the company also hopes to work in partnership with local schools and colleges to share its environmental values and help educate future generations about the importance of protecting the environment."

Planning conditions include insisting work must be finished within three years and, before it starts, a landscaping scheme must be completed.