February 3, 2007
U.K.
U.K.
Walkers are holding a protest ramble to ward off wind farm companies from a Neath Abbey beauty spot.
Members of Neath Port Talbot Ramblers group are taking to the hills to stop Drummau Mountain becoming the next proposed site for the giant turbines.
A wind speed monitoring mast has sat atop the mountain since it was replaced after saboteurs destroyed it last summer.
It had only been there a few months after being controversially approved by county council planners.
It went through by a margin of just two votes and sparked a political storm.
No planning application has yet been submitted for a wind farm on the site, but after the recent flurry of interest from green energy companies, it is thought to be only a matter of time before one is forthcoming.
In a pre-emptive strike, the rambling group intends to raise awareness of just how damaging a wind farm would be to such a picturesque area.
The organisation’s footpath secretary, Terry Griffiths, is the man behind the march. He said: “I’m a resident and member of the Ramblers and I walk Drummau quite often.
“I’m particularly concerned that there may well be an application some time in the future and I’m trying to draw people’s attention to it.”
The 63-year-old said the area should be used to attract tourists.
“It is a wonderful area,” he said.
“The views are absolutely spectacular, and there is plenty of wildlife.
“I’m not against wind farms, but there’s a place for them and this particular area is not one of them.”
The walk is open to anyone. It will be starting from the GlynClydach Coach House at Longford at 10am on Saturday, March 3.
By Bede MacGowan
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/02/03/protest-march-aims-to-fight-off-wind-farms/