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Minister rounds on windfarm objectors
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Environment minister Jane Davidson has rounded on critics who have accused her of double standards over wind farm planning.
Members of Cynghrair Hiraethog Alliance (CHA) are furious the minister has refused to meet the group to discuss its concerns.
CHA believes rural Wales is suffering wind turbine blight as a result of “undemocratic” planning processes which favour developers.
It has been seeking a meeting with Mrs Davidson since July but its requests have been rejected.
CHA secretary Michael Williams said: “It seems the minister is very happy to meet those with a vested interest in promoting windfarms, but she will not meet with the ordinary people whose lives will be so drastically affected by wind- farm development.”
Mrs Davidson’s department said the minister had been advised not to meet CHA to ensure impartiality in case she was called to determine the outcome of future applications.
A spokesman said she has never met representatives of British Wind Energy Association but has spoken at its conference.
He added: “Although she could not meet with the group, the minister made it clear that she is very interested to hear their views and invited them to write to her.”
CHA has outlined a series of allegations at the way the Assembly government’s wind turbine policy (TAN8) was drawn up and applied.
“We believe it is time for the Welsh Assembly Government to call a halt to any further windfarm developments in Wales,” said Mr Williams.
But Mrs Davidson’s department denied developers had received special treatment, nor had pressure been applied on councils to approve windfarms.
By Andrew Forgrave
27 September 2007
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