July 13, 2011
Wales

Turbines put the wind up residents

Published date: 20 July 2011 | Published by: Aaron Haley & David Waddington, North Wales Pioneer, www.northwalespioneer.co.uk 13 July 2011

Plans to build wind turbines the height of New York’s Statue of Liberty in Colwyn Bay have “horrified” residents.

Bryn Y Gwynt Ltd have submitted a planning application to build two 225kW turbines at Glyn Farm off Glyn Avenue in a bid generate 840,000 kWh of electricity and save an estimated 450 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year.

But the move has outraged residents in the town who fear it could set a dangerous precedent and have major ramifications on the environment.

Tegwyn Hughes, 75, who lives just outside Llanelian, said: “The two wind farms will be built right in my front garden. I’ve been here for 45 years, I renovated the house, and now in my old age I’ve got this to contend with. We’ll be looking right at it, these things will ruin the area.
“I was horrified and shocked, I don’t want to have to put up with this. I’m really worried that once they’ve put the cabling in place, it’ll only be a matter of time before they have 20 in the field. They won’t be happy with just two.”

A report submitted to Conwy County Borough Council planning department indicates the turbine supports will be 32 metres tall, with a 14 metre blade protruding, making them 46 metres high in total.

The proposal also includes the construction of associated infrastructure on the land to process the energy.

Mr Hughes added: “The highest trees in the area are about 25-30 ft high, so they will be dwarfing them.
“We only have until July 26 to register opposition. It seems a very short amount of time.”

Issues surrounding noise pollution and damage to the ecologically diverse wildlife in the area have prompted a public meeting to be held at the White Lion Pub in Llanelian on Monday, July 18 at 7:30pm to discuss the development.

Mayor of Colwyn Bay, Margaret Edwards, confirmed residents were not happy with the announcement.

She said: “I’ve been speaking to people and they are not at all happy. They are very worried. Wind turbines just seem to be taking over and they are getting closer to our houses.”
“It’s the noise. And from what I have read they are not very economical and don’t give enough electricity.
“Personally, I certainly don’t like the idea.”

Bryn Y Gwynt Ltd were unable to be contacted for comment at the time of going to print.