June 9, 2011
Wales

Minister speaks to wind farm protesters

by Ian Hughes, North Wales Weekly News, www.northwalesweeklynews.co.uk 9 June 2011

A politician has used windfarm protests in Cardiff to highlight a controversial proposal in Gwytherin.

A 1,500-strong protest was held outside the Senedd last week, and the subject was Technical Advice Note 8 – the planning process concerning windfarms.

Darren Millar AM pledged his support for reform after addressing a crowd of protestors.

“The planning process for windfarms needs to be overhauled. The current planning guidelines issued by the Welsh Government are flawed and the number of protestors shows the strength of opposition to them,” he said.

The site at Llys Dymper on the Denbigh Moors, to the south of Gwytherin and west of Llansannan, covers an area of approximately 10 square kilometres.

If given the go-ahead it will house up to fourteen 126m high wind turbines.

Mr Millar added: “The voice of local people is often ignored in the planning process and this needs to change. Windfarms should only be developed when they enjoy the support of the local community.”

In Gwytherin, residents have set up a Facebook group against the windfarm, called Gwytherin Against Llys Dymper Windfarm.

Having lived in Gwytherin for over 28 years, Gillian Derbyshire said windfarms are not effective.

“We live in a beautiful area which will be spoilt if these turbines are given the green light,” she said. “We don’t want them here, we don’t need them here and we won’t get any benefit directly from them.”

Work on 14 turbines could start in 2013 if an application by Windpower Wales gets the green light from Conwy County Council.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/06/09/minister-speaks-to-wind-farm-protesters/