June 29, 2011
Wales

Windfarm protesters vow to take their fight to the UK Government

By Sally Williams, www.walesonline.co.uk 29 June 2011

Up to 1,500 anti-wind farm protesters today vowed to take their fight to the British Government in a bid to stop the “paradise of Wales” from being desecrated by industrialised by pylons and turbines.

The campaigners fear that UK policy on renewable energy will over-ride Welsh policy, unless urgent action is taken to redress the situation.

They cheered in support of Powys County Council’s calls on the Welsh Government to carry out an immediate review of its guidance on Planning for Renewable Energy, Technical Advice Note 8 (TAN 8) and on the Welsh and UK Governments to call a moratorium on all wind farm applications, until the review is completed.

The motion was passed by an overwhelming majority; 64 voted to pass the motion, with only one abstention.

Powys Council also demands that the UK Government and the Department of Energy and Climate Change in the development of the National Policy Statement on Renewable Energy Generation, ensures that, within the policy, provision will be made to guarantee full consideration to policies that exist in Wales, at national, Welsh and local government level.

The motion was proposed by Powys Councillor David Jones who represents Guilsfield, near Welshpool,which would be in the centre of proposals by National Grid for a 20-acre substation and 100 miles of power cables and pylons.

Addressing the crowds at Welshpool Livestock Market in Buttington, via a giant screen, he said: “Right through Tan 8 there’s a huge amount of pain that could be suffered by the people of Mid Wales for very little gain.

“Most of the policy is based on around 30% efficiency; the highest-rated windfarm in Montgomeryshire produces 18%; nothing like 30%.

“Tan 8 is six years old this Friday and it is in desperate need of review and that’s what my motion seeks to do.”

He said a new generation nuclear power station planned for Wylfa on Anglesey, North Wales, would completely change the face of carbon-neutral generation in Wales.

“That would work 24/7, whether the wind blows or not,” he said.

[slideshow available at source]


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/06/29/windfarm-protesters-vow-to-take-their-fight-to-the-uk-government/