Formal complaint made over Darwen election leaflet

4:10pm Saturday 28th April 2012 in Politics news

A FORMAL complaint is to be made over claims on a Conservative election leaflet that a wind turbine application was backed by Labour councillors.

The leaflet refers to a controversial proposed turbine at Pleasant View Farm, Cranberry Moor, which was withdrawn by the applicant before going to the council’s planning committee.

Whitehall Ward Matters, distributed by Conservative candidate in both the Darwen Town Council and Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council elections Neil Slater, was recently distributed throughout the ward.

Within it, there is a section on wind turbines, stating: “In a semi-rural ward we have a duty to safeguard our environment from inappropriately site structures, particularly wind turbines.”

In reference to the application to erect an 88.5-metre turbine near Bull Hill, it says: “Your local Labour councillors voted for the turbine. Your local Liberals abstained in the vote.”

Mr Slater has since claimed he was referring to the application at the site for a temporary anemometer, a device that records wind speeds, which was passed by the planning committee.

A vote on the 88.5 metre turbine did not take place.

Darwen Labour Party election agent Coun Dave Smith said he would be making a formal complaint to the council’s chief executive.

He said: “In that planning application there was no mention of wind turbines whatsoever.

“There was no vote on the wind turbine and I will be making a formal complaint to the chief executive.

“Labour councillor Frank Connor helped those campaigning against this wind turbine from the beginning.”

In a statement, Mr Slater said: “The vote on this particular item was taken on Thursday, January 19, and is on the planning committee minutes, where Labour councillors supported and voted for the full planning application for an installation of a temporary wind turbine anemometer for the period of 18 months to collect reliable wind data at Bolton Road, Bull Hill, Darwen.”

Liberal Democrat leader and Whitehall councillor David Foster said: “We opposed the turbine and it didn’t even go to planning committee.

“He needs to get his facts straight and apologise.

“He has a responsibility to provide election material that is not misleading to the public.”

Comments (10)

5:11pm Sat 28 Apr 12

Keep Darwen Green says...

More lies from the condems, just sue his sorry arse.
More lies from the condems, just sue his sorry arse. Keep Darwen Green

5:56pm Sat 28 Apr 12

louderfasterlonger says...

I too was a little perplexed by this, the election leaflet clearly states, wind-turbine, and not anemometer.....
I am also aware that one of the Labour Candidates offered to help distribute the anti-turbine leaflet THROUGHOUT the Sunnyhurst ward - prior to it's withdrawal.
I too was a little perplexed by this, the election leaflet clearly states, wind-turbine, and not anemometer..... I am also aware that one of the Labour Candidates offered to help distribute the anti-turbine leaflet THROUGHOUT the Sunnyhurst ward - prior to it's withdrawal. louderfasterlonger

6:45pm Sat 28 Apr 12

Rumpole says...

politicians have been making false claims on election leaflets for years, can we the people sue them for that?
politicians have been making false claims on election leaflets for years, can we the people sue them for that? Rumpole

7:15pm Sat 28 Apr 12

Keep Darwen Green says...

Rumpole wrote:
politicians have been making false claims on election leaflets for years, can we the people sue them for that?
Maybe not so we should be able to whip them instead. Just kidding, but I do feel there is a place in a modern society for the stocks outside the town hall.
[quote][p][bold]Rumpole[/bold] wrote: politicians have been making false claims on election leaflets for years, can we the people sue them for that?[/p][/quote]Maybe not so we should be able to whip them instead. Just kidding, but I do feel there is a place in a modern society for the stocks outside the town hall. Keep Darwen Green

7:46pm Sat 28 Apr 12

bparky says...

what do you expect from the tories,in burnley they dont put out leaflets because they do stand a chance of getting elected only a few in what we call posh area,s so wake up in blackburn get rid of the tories
what do you expect from the tories,in burnley they dont put out leaflets because they do stand a chance of getting elected only a few in what we call posh area,s so wake up in blackburn get rid of the tories bparky

10:02pm Sat 28 Apr 12

paulc says...

LOL!

Perhaps someone should have explained to the Tory the difference between a wind turbine and an anemometer!
LOL! Perhaps someone should have explained to the Tory the difference between a wind turbine and an anemometer! paulc

10:33am Sun 29 Apr 12

johndarwen says...

Your telling me that
"Labour" did not lie on their leaflets?
Did the
"Libdems" not lie on their leaflets?
Do these people local councilers have any real say on what goes on in the planning dept of Blackburn W Darwen council?
I think not. They are only part of Darwen Town Council (Tin pots)
Your telling me that "Labour" did not lie on their leaflets? Did the "Libdems" not lie on their leaflets? Do these people local councilers have any real say on what goes on in the planning dept of Blackburn W Darwen council? I think not. They are only part of Darwen Town Council (Tin pots) johndarwen

11:52am Sun 29 Apr 12

louderfasterlonger says...

johndarwen wrote:
Your telling me that
"Labour" did not lie on their leaflets?
Did the
"Libdems" not lie on their leaflets?
Do these people local councilers have any real say on what goes on in the planning dept of Blackburn W Darwen council?
I think not. They are only part of Darwen Town Council (Tin pots)
Please feel free to point out any lies you feel have been told on the Labour leaflets.
[quote][p][bold]johndarwen[/bold] wrote: Your telling me that "Labour" did not lie on their leaflets? Did the "Libdems" not lie on their leaflets? Do these people local councilers have any real say on what goes on in the planning dept of Blackburn W Darwen council? I think not. They are only part of Darwen Town Council (Tin pots)[/p][/quote]Please feel free to point out any lies you feel have been told on the Labour leaflets. louderfasterlonger

2:44pm Sun 29 Apr 12

Excluded again says...

johndarwen wrote:
Your telling me that
"Labour" did not lie on their leaflets?
Did the
"Libdems" not lie on their leaflets?
Do these people local councilers have any real say on what goes on in the planning dept of Blackburn W Darwen council?
I think not. They are only part of Darwen Town Council (Tin pots)
You can make a formal report any lies in the leaflet by any party to the Returning Officer. When you do so, tell the LT so we can all read about it.

I'll keep my eye open for the story. If there aren't any such stories I will doubt there is any substance to your claim.
[quote][p][bold]johndarwen[/bold] wrote: Your telling me that "Labour" did not lie on their leaflets? Did the "Libdems" not lie on their leaflets? Do these people local councilers have any real say on what goes on in the planning dept of Blackburn W Darwen council? I think not. They are only part of Darwen Town Council (Tin pots)[/p][/quote]You can make a formal report any lies in the leaflet by any party to the Returning Officer. When you do so, tell the LT so we can all read about it. I'll keep my eye open for the story. If there aren't any such stories I will doubt there is any substance to your claim. Excluded again

8:25pm Sun 29 Apr 12

bparky says...

john of darwen,you only lie on leaflets when you are running scared and have nothing to say about what you have achieved,in burnley the lib dems claim everthing that the labour party had started years ago,
john of darwen,you only lie on leaflets when you are running scared and have nothing to say about what you have achieved,in burnley the lib dems claim everthing that the labour party had started years ago, bparky

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