July 11, 2007
Wales
Wales
Plans to extend a windfarm that may be seen from one of Wales’s most popular seaside resorts has sparked a row.
Friends of the Earth (FoE) is unhappy at opposition from Pembrokeshire Coast National Park for six new turbines at Pendine, Carmarthenshire.
FoE claimed the park authority’s main objection seemed to be they would spoil the view from Tenby, 8.7 miles away.
But an authority spokesman said it had a duty to “preserve and enhance the natural beauty of the park”.
The FoE claimed the park was willing to support fossil fuel developments but not renewable energy.
Spokesman Gordon James said: “The national park authority’s main reason for objecting is that the wind turbines would be visible from parts of Tenby, which is approximately 14 kilometres (8.7 miles) away, and then, it seems, only on clear days.
“We find it bizarre that an authority that is meant to protect the natural environment should object to turbines that will help reduce the impacts of climate change and which lie outside of its boundary.
“It has not objected to the far greater visual impact of the LNG facilities at Milford Haven – the authority appears to be willing to give the green light to large fossil fuel developments whilst fussing negatively about the lesser landscape impacts of renewable energy.”
Singled-out
There are five turbines already in place at Parc Cynog in Pendine – which were granted on appeal.
The park authority has refuted the claims by the environmental campaign group.
A spokesman said its duty “obviously means looking at proposals that will have an impact on the national park”.
He added: “The park authority is not anti-renewable energy – a number of schemes have been approved with in the park area.”
He said Mr James seemed to be singling out the park authority, as the Council for the Protection of Rural Wales and the Countryside Council for Wales had also objected.
“That combined body of opinion should not be set aside and council members will, I hope, take note of the very real concerns that have been expressed,” he added.
The application will be considered by Carmarthenshire council’s planning committee at a later date.
11 June 2007
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/07/11/row-over-tenby-views-turbines/