December 19, 2007
Wales

Glyncorrwg action group pleased with council decision

Members of the Glyncorrwg Action Group (GAG) said they were delighted with the council’s decision.

GAG members packed the public gallery to hear councillors unanimously reject proposals for the four turbines – some of which would have been less than a kilometre from their homes.

Members prepared a detailed report listing their objections and, more recently, presented a 1,238-name petition of objection to Neath Port Talbot Council.

The group also attracted support from Aberavon MP Hywel Francis and AM Brian Gibbons.

GAG spokesman Bob Slater welcomed the council’s decision.

“We’re obviously delighted,” he said.

“We’ve had to live with this hanging over us for two years and it’s made people up here very stressed.”

“This decision is a great Christmas present.”

But Mr Slater said the group’s battle was not yet over.

Residents in the Afan Valley are now faced with the prospect a larger wind farm on a site between Glyncorrwg and Croeserw.

The Llynfi wind farm, proposed by Spanish-owned Gamesa, would consist of 14 603ft turbines – the tallest in the world.

“We’re going to be calling on Gamesa to withdraw their plans in light of this decision,” said Mr Slater.

GAG plan to oppose this development, and are also supporting MP Hywel Francis’s campaign to have the Upper Afan Valley designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – a move they hope would prevent any future wind farm development in the area.

“That’s a long process, but hopefully we’re moving forward,” said Mr Slater.

“These applications are making us more determined.

“We’re not against renewable energy. The crucial point is that developers have got to be more sensitive in the siting of them.”

Aberavon AM Brian Gibbons also welcomed the decision.

He said: “Today’s decision is a victory for common sense and I really hope that this decision will begin a period in which the local environmental impact of developments will be at the forefront of future planning decisions.

“The proposals submitted by Eco2 were too close to people’s home’s and this is why I consistently supported the action group in their campaign against this development.”

by Matt Nicholls, Port Talbot Guardian

icWales

20 December 2007


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/12/19/glyncorrwg-action-group-pleased-with-council-decision/