January 23, 2008
Wales
Wales
Plans to build three extra wind turbines in the Teifi Valley are back on the table this week.
Developers at WindJen Power have appealed to the Assembly Government after their proposals were rejected by county planners in September.
The company wants to erect three turbines alongside the existing three at the Blaen Bowi wind farm, between Capel Iwan and Newcastle Emlyn.
Tudor Jones from WindJen said Carmarthenshire Council’s decision to reject the application was based on the visual impact to the Teifi Valley.
He said: “We don’t agree with that because there are three turbines there already.
“The appeal has been lodged but we have not heard if it has been registered yet.”
If the appeal is registered, a planning inspector from the Assembly Government will hold a public inquiry to re-examine the planning application.
John Roworth, who lives near the existing wind farm, said there was “obvious delight of the majority of local people” when the application was refused last year.
Mr Roworth, a member of a campaign group which opposed the application, added that they still have outstanding complaints about noise from the existing wind farm.
He said: “I appreciate that much remedial work has been carried out to the turbines to try and rectify the faults but, unfortunately, without success.
“Those of us who have to suffer will continue to fight our cause – although we cannot afford expensive lawyers.
“I hope we will be allowed to state our positions, and ensure the truth is heard at a public inquiry.”
He said people’s health is affected if they cannot sleep at night because of the noise.
“That is a simple medical fact and not a myth as put out by windfarm companies, their industry and their supporters,” he added.
Local county councillor Haydn Jones, who spoke in favour of the application in County Hall, said: “I am an advocate of alternative energy such as wind power. It’s making maximum use of our natural resources.
“I see the turbines from my kitchen window every day and I quite enjoy watching them. If anything, they’re worse when they are stopped .
“I think visual effect is very much a personal thing. It’s in the eye of the beholder.”
By Graeme Wilkinson
23 January 2008
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/01/23/three-more-wind-turbines/