Tories on attack over Gwynt y Môr windfarm
First minister Rhodri Morgan was challenged yesterday over his commitment to a public inquiry into the planned Gwynt y Môr windfarm off the North Wales coast.
Conservatives said yesterday that more than a year after the Mr Morgan declared the proposal “needs a full public inquiry … simple as that” no plans had been brought forward by the Assembly or UK governments.
Mr Morgan made the statement in a TV debate in the run-up to last year’s National Assembly elections.
It is proposed to put up 200 wind turbines 15km off the coast of Llandudno under the proposals which will be determined by the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform at Westminster.
Tory Assembly leader Nick Bourne has now written to the First Minister demanding to know what he is doing to secure the inquiry.
Mr Bourne said: “The Assembly Government said nothing to address public concerns about this project until a few days before polling day.
“It was clear then that the First Minister’s timing was a cynical attempt to try and salvage a few Labour votes in North Wales marginal seats.
“The people of North Wales deserve to have a say in the future of this massive development.”
Shadow environment minister and Clwyd West AM Darren Millar said: “The scale of the Gwynt y Môr development cannot be overstated.
“It will have significant consequences for the seascape of North Wales.
“Rhodri Morgan gave a clear commitment to hold a public inquiry last April. We have heard nothing since.”
A spokesman for the Welsh Assembly Government said that because the development proposed was intended to produce more than 50mw of energy, the plan would be determined at Westminster.
by Aaron Boland
14 May 2008
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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