December 30, 2006
U.K.
U.K.
Campaigners have vowed to fight tooth and nail against plans for wind farm north of Swansea.
Electricity company npower renewables is preparing to submit a planning application for a 34-turbine wind farm on the mountainside of Mynydd-y-Gwair, early in the New Year.
But mountainside group Save Our Common Mountain Environment (SOCME) say it plans to contest the proposal.
The mountain, they say, is the last wilderness area in Swansea and is extensively used by people resorting to the countryside for quiet enjoyment.
The mountain also boasts magnificent views of 10 counties from its highest point at Penlle’r-Castell.
Several long-distance trails cross the mountain including The Gower Way which links the two sectors of Gower – the lowland peninsular with the upland northern lordship of Gower.
Footpaths also link the mountain from the popular Lliw Reservoir recreation area.
SOCME Chairman Glyn Morgan said it was important that the scheme be stopped.
He said: “The construction and presence of the proposed wind farm would destroy this area.
“We will fight with all legal means available. Mynydd-y-Gwair is a beautiful place and should be safeguarded. It is the heritage of all of us.”
Mawr councillor Ioan Richard said: “If the Mynydd-y-Gwair scheme went ahead as proposed, npower would reap £110 million in payments for energy produced over 20 years, plus an additional £236 million in public subsidies.
“Apart from losing a wild scenic landscape, I wonder how many local people would wish to pay nearly third of a billion pounds into the pockets of a foreign multi-national business.”
No-one from npower was available for comment.
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2006/12/30/group-vows-to-fight-on-mountain/