We are a group of local residents in Warwickshire raising funds to pay a law firm to represent us in objecting to a new gas-fired power generation facility next to our villages. The facility is to be built within a few metres of several local residents’ homes and within a couple of kilometres from many villages. It will also destroy an important wildlife habitat.

If the facility is granted planning permission, it will create noise and pollution which will adversely affect hundreds of people and huge numbers of wildlife within a substantial radius for at least 25 years.

CO2 and nitrogen oxides will be emitted, which are known to be linked to asthma, bronchitis, lung cancer and heart disease. In addition, there will be substantial noise from the 22 generators.

We are raising funds in phases as follows:

Initial Phase - This is to raise a TOTAL of 2,500 pounds Sterling to cover the legal fees to instruct Harrison Grant Solicitors (HG). HG is a specialist planning and environmental law firm. They will research the application, consider all relevant local planning policies and the law. They will produce a powerful, legally-based objection to this application. The amount stated will also cover the 6% plus VAT on the funds raised, which represents the fees of CrowdJustice for use of its platform and services. <b>We already have about 50 pledges of support from local residents</b>. These will be paid ASAP after this site launches. Any other contributions are very welcome, as this will proportionately reduce the amount those of us who have already made pledges will need to pay. <b>Once the contribution levels hit the 2,500 figure, we will close this funding phase.</b>

Further phases - Please watch this space. If, in the face of the massive number of objections already being made by uploading these to the planning portal, Stratford Council decide to allow the application to go to committee, then we will need further legal advice and the services of an eminent QC to advocate our position in the most effective way. The QC will be instructed by HG. The plan is to ask for fixed fee quotes at each stage to enable us to raise the appropriate level of funding. 

If we fail at committee, the next step will be Judicial Review of the Council’s decision. This will require further funding.

CrowdJustice is the best funding platform we have identified for legal campaigns. There are many reasons for this but a very important one is that they only permit fundraising where a properly accredited law firm has already been appointed and will only transfer the funds raised to that firm.