Report: Michael Freeman

Network Rail's controversial plan to build a huge electricity substation on green belt land in Sandy Lane, Aughton was not railroaded through when councillors considered the plans on Thursday evening.

In fact it's now hit the buffers after its proposal was rejected by 14 votes to 2 with one abstention - despite being recommended for approval by Planning director John Harrison.

The meeting was attended by the majority of local residents, with representation made against the proposal by Gaby Naylor on behalf of the residents. She very clearly laid out a multitude of reasons why it should be rejected before Network Rail also put its case forward.

Committee members then asked questions led by local councillor, David O’Toole (pictured) Issues were raised regarding sound levels, electro-magnetic fields, destruction of the green belt and the local ecology, with O’Toole putting a very strong case forward of behalf of rejecting the proposal, which led to a number of other councilors asking searching questions.

Other dissenting voices raised issues that if the substation was to go ahead, the residents would never be able to sell their properties.

Network Rail detailed the need for a new substation for the planned improvements to the Merseyrail line, but failed to disclose that this was the only one planned to be built on green belt land. It added that it had spent two years preparing for this planning proposal and had considered other sites, leaving one councillor flabbergasted as to why, after all that, they had chosen the only site that was directly beside residential properties.

When questioned of another alternative site - much further from any residential properties, and that the landowner was willing to sell, hence a suitable alternative -Network Rail agreed that it would be.

After the vote, there was understandable delight and relief amongst the residents after months of campaigning and all the accompanying worry and stress should the plans not be rejected. It has really brought the residents together and they will now look to continue as a residents group on more positive issues, to improve their community.

They were particularly appreciative of the contribution in the meeting of Gaby Naylor and Councillor O’Toole.