March 6, 2011
Wales

Campaigners stage Nant y Moch wind farm protest

BBC News, www.bbc.co.uk 6 March 2011

A protest against plans for 64, 140m (459ft) tall wind turbines has been staged in the Cambrian Mountains.

The demonstration, near Aberystwyth, was led by rock climber and travel writer Jim Perrin.

The Cambrian Mountains Society, which organised the protest at Nant y Moch, said the turbines would destroy the “unique” area.

Scottish and Southern Energy said Nant y Moch was in an area identified for large-scale wind farm development.

The Cambrian Mountains Society said Mr Perrin led more than 250 protesters to Nant y Moch reservoir, near the village of Ponterwyd, on Sunday afternoon.

The society argues the turbines will “destroy this spectacular and unique area of Wales”, and wants it recognised as an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Mr Perrin said: “Nowhere better epitomises resistant Welsh nationhood than the wild landscape of Hyddgen, north of Pumlumon Fawr. It was here that Owain Glyndŵr, hugely outnumbered, won the first battle of his great uprising.

“May the spirit of this place impart its strength to us, and may we, in our turn, help preserve it undiminished by threatened environmental atrocity.”

Mr Perrin was joined by John Jones of folk rock band, Oysterband.

Ross Easton of Scottish and Southern Energy said: “The proposed Nant y Moch wind farm is located in an area identified by the Welsh Assembly Government as suitable for large-scale wind farm development.

“The views of local communities are extremely important to us, and we have carried out a period of thorough consultation, including public exhibitions, drop-in sessions, newsletters and website updates to ensure all members of the community have been reached.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/03/06/campaigners-stage-nant-y-moch-wind-farm-protest/