Concern over wind farm policy
Carmarthenshire County Council has adopted a new policy setting out detailed guidance for granting consent for wind farm developments, but the detail of the policy was challenged by Cllr Linda Evans at the meeting of the council.
Cllr Evans, the Plaid member for the Pencader/ Llanfihangel ar arth area, raised a series of concerns about the new policy.
She said this week, “It seems to me that the new policy makes it easier to add more land to the original area designated for possible wind farm developments. A high proportion of this area is open land, with rambling rights across it. I want to know what consideration has been given to the effect on tourism.
“Similarly, a number of farms in the area have followed government advice to diversify, and some of the holiday cottages have been a great success. I am concerned that these too may suffer if tourism is discouraged.”
Cllr Evans also raised questions about the connection of wind farms to the National Grid, and said, “The environmental impact of a wind farm is not limited to the turbines themselves; there is also a need for a connection to the grid. The policy suggests that the cables will be underground; but this may cause even more environmental impact than having overhead cables.”
25 July 2008
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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