July 21, 2008
Wales
Wales
Guidance is being issued by Carmarthenshire planners ahead of expected applications to develop wind farms in the Brechfa Forest area.
Today’s (Friday) meeting of the full council approved supplementary planning guidance on the issue.
Members discussed a report prepared by the Council’s Planning Services Section to help handle applications for major wind farm developments.
The issues considered in the guidance include the impact of wind farms on the landscape.
The Brechfa Forest area has been identified by the Welsh Assembly Government as an area suitable for major wind farm development in the period up to 2010.
The supplementary planning guidance is intended to encourage developers to design their proposals with maximum sympathy for the local environment.
Wind Farm Case Officer David Poulter said: “Major wind farm development will inevitably have a big impact on the landscape character of parts of the Brechfa Forest area. It will also have a visual impact when viewed from large parts of north Carmarthenshire.
“Major wind farm development, which involves large areas of land but which physically develops only a very small proportion of this, provides a unique opportunity to secure environmental benefits which, at least partially, offset the visual impact on more panoramic views.
“Land in the areas most suitable for wind farm development has the potential to be managed to enhance biodiversity, promote storage of carbon and conserve and enhance landscape features.”
The guidance also looks at the issue of open space – including Mynydd Llanllwni, Mynydd Llanybydder and Mynydd Llanfihangel Rhos-y-Corn, and the impact wind farm development would have on people’s enjoyment of it.
It also draws attention to a variety of other wind farm-related issues.
The planning guidance is for the period to the end of 2010, to accord with the timescale of related Welsh Assembly Government planning advice and Carmarthenshire Local Development Plan, which is still in the early stages of preparation.
Carmarthenshire County Council
21 July 2008
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/07/21/brechfa/