March 31, 2007
U.K.
U.K.
Plans for 10 110-metre high wind turbines have been approved by county planners in Carmarthenshire.
The decision has been met with dismay by protesters who have campaigned against the development.
The windfarm will be built on land next to Blaengwen Farm, near Alltwalis.
It is on a swathe of land stretching across Carmarthenshire to Neath and Port Talbot that has been earmarked by the Assembly as suitable for a wind farm.
The application was first approved in August, 2005, but in November of that year, it was rejected by the council’s now-defunct departures committee.
The developer appealed to the Assembly, and then submitted another, modified planning application.
At this stage county planners gave their consent on Tuesday, March 27, and the application was approved.
During the debate, head of planning, Eifion Bowen, said Assembly guidelines have earmarked the area around the Brechfa Forest as a possible site for wind turbines.
He said the new application included habitat improvements and recommended that it be approved.
Tim Shaw, of the Dinefwr Green Group, called for the application to be refused.
He said: “These turbines are unprecedented in scale. We are not talking small is beautiful – this is industry cashing in on climate change.”
Councillor Joy Williams said: “I believe we are responsible for safeguarding our natural heritage. Mynydd Llanllwni happens to be an area of special landscape we should all be proud of. Let us keep these areas we have – there aren’t many left.”
Councillor Bill Thomas said: “There are no hard and fast rules – it’s all about interpretation and balance. If we weren’t facing global warming the case for the people protesting would be welcomed. However, we are facing climate tests.”
He proposed supporting the application, which was seconded by Councillor Keri Thomas.
The committee voted seven against and 11 in favour of the application.
Councillor Thomas added that at least the site would be producing electricity: “This is not going to be an answer to global warming, but may be an example of what we can all do.”
By Graeme Wilkinson
30 March 2007
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/03/31/wind-power-plan-agreed/