January 12, 2011
Wales

‘Giant wind farms will be disastrous’

www.thisissouthwales.co.uk 12 January 2011

Campaigners have labelled plans to build a giant wind farm as “disastrous” for the village of Glyncorrwg.

Neath Port Talbot planners met yesterday at the site of the proposed Pen y Cymoedd development, which will straddle the Neath and Afan valleys.

The plans by Nuon Renewables involve 79 turbines which could reach 145 metres in height.

Following a debate, 17 councillors voted not to object to the officer’s recommendation of approval, and 15 objected to the proposal.

Glyncorrwg Action Group’s spokesman, Bob Slater, said: “This is disastrous for the village.

“It will have an overbearing visual impact over the people in Glyncorrwg.”

Thirty eight letters and one letter with 15 signatures were received objecting to the proposal.

At the meeting, Glyncorrwg councillor Glyn Rawlings said he felt the matter should not be supported and that there should be a public inquiry.

Conditions for the applicant, include that the developer contributes £3 million to secure the management of the Habitat Management Area, £350,000 for a black-graded cycle route within the Afan Valley, and sets up a community fund.

The final decision on the application is with the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change.

A spokesman for Nuon said: “We are very pleased with this decision as Pen y Cymoedd represents a substantial inward investment that will bring major benefits to the local economy.

“Over its 25-year lifetime, Pen y Cymoedd will inject more than £1 billion into the local economy. We will support the retention and creation of around 300 jobs during the construction phase and 50 permanent jobs thereafter.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/01/12/giant-wind-farms-will-be-disastrous/