April 3, 2008
Wales
Wales
Decision on a proposed windfarm has been delayed for a site visit – and councillors might not get to vote until after the election.
Members were due to vote on plans to build eight 400-foot turbines between Treorchy and Maerdy when they met this week.
In a report before the planning committee, council democratic services chief Paul Lucas writes: “The site measures 206.5 hectares and is located on a steep sided plateau on the ridgeline that separates the Rhondda Fach and Rhondda Fawr valleys.
“The windfarm would consist of eight wind turbines, each with a tower height of 80 metres.
“Attached to the tower, via a hub, would be three 44-metre blades, resulting in a total height to the tip of 125 metres.”
But the councillor for Maerdy asked the committee to delay its decision.
Labour member Kevin Williams said: “I don’t believe members who do not themselves live in the vicinity have a complete idea of what they are being asked to vote on.
“I would like the planning meeting to discuss the environmental impact of the proposal, the visual amenity, and other matters.
“I am asking for an all-members site visit so we can have an informed discussion.”
Committee chairman Robert McDonald agreed to the request but, when questioned by members of the public, said he could not immediately confirm the dates of the visit or the next sitting of the Rhondda Area Development Control Co-ordinating Committee – which held its last full meeting in November last year.
The proposal for eight wind turbines was submitted in September 2006 by Renewable Energy Partnership Ltd.
Information about the proposed wind farm and artists’ impressions of the site are available at www.maerdywindfarm.co.uk.
by Alex Moore, Rhondda Leader
3 April 2008
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/04/03/windfarm-plan-on-hold-for-site-visit/