The decision by Carmarthenshire Council to approve a 16-turbine wind power station on Mynydd y Betws ignored the wishes of the majority of the local community councils and neighbouring county councils, the National Parks Authority, the Council for the Preservation of Rural Wales, Cadw and others.
It also ignored the bulk of the conclusions reached in its own report, and gave as its reason for recommending approval the need to achieve the target for wind power laid down by the Assembly.
It abrogated its duty to protect the rights of ratepayers in favour of forwarding the political objectives of the Labour Party in Wales, who at the time of the decision did not even have a mandate to rule. This is the second large wind farm approved by Carmarthenshire Council this year.
Among the issues raised by the report were doubts over the ability of the developer to mitigate against problems with old mine workings, protection of natural habitat, protection of archaeological sites, and a reduction in its value as a recreational area.
What is the point of a planning officer spending two years formulating a report if it is ignored and a decision taken at the dictate of the Government? It begs the question, will this happen every time a wind farm proposal is submitted for approval?
Wind farm developers must be rubbing their hands in glee and heading to Carmarthenshire as fast as their Rolls-Royces can go.
Bruce Anderson
Argoed Road, Betws
29 June 2007
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/06/30/wishes-are-ignored/