January 7, 2008
Wales

Councillors continue battle over 250-turbine windfarm plan

A decision to keep on pushing for a public inquiry into plans for a 250-turbine windfarm off Llandudno has met a mixed reaction.

Councillors in Conwy have voted to carry on opposing oppose plans for one of Europe’s largest wind farms, Gwynt y Mor. They also want a public inquiry.

The decision, at a special meeting on Friday, comes after npower Renewables submitted new plans to the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.

The plans included bringing the turbines closer, to cut the scheme’s size by 16%.

The councillors’ recommendations must be considered by a Conwy cabinet meeting before any representations can be made to the Government.

But the Department will make the final decision.

Clwyd West AM Darren Millar, who is also a Tory Conwy County Borough Councillor for Towyn, said: “Such a development would industrialise the North Wales seascape and could have a devastating effect on tourism.’’

But Conwy’s Environment committee chairman backed the windfarm. Plaid Cymru’s Emlyn Thomas, who represents Trefriw and Dolgarrog, said: “We have had four turbines on a hill above Trefriw for five or six years. It has not affected tourism.’’

And the Lib Dems’ Mike Priestley said: “The decision will be taken by the Labour Government.”

By David Powell

Daily Post

7 January 2008


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/01/07/councillors-continue-battle-over-250-turbine-windfarm-plan/