October 3, 2011
Wales

Wind farm ‘will ruin our lives’

South Wales Evening Post, www.thisissouthwales.co.uk 3 October 2011

Residents fear plans for a wind farm near Margam Park could ruin their lives and the area’s natural beauty.

An energy company is preparing to put forward proposals for five wind turbines at Mynydd Brombil, overlooking Port Talbot.

Each turbine would have a maximum tip height of 126.5 metres.

The prospect has left residents of the village of Brombil angry and concerned.

One of them, Caroline Jones, said: “It is a very small village and an historical one.

“These turbines will be 412ft high. It’s mining territory and the foundations for the turbines are so deep it could cause a landslide.

“I can speak on behalf of everyone here when I say – no way.”

Neath Port Talbot Council has received what is known as a scoping opinion on behalf of REG Windpower.

This relates to the environmental impact assessment which would have to accompany an eventual planning application.

Sensitive

Consultants acting for the company have confirmed the turbine site and immediate surroundings lie outside any sensitive area, but there is a scheduled ancient monument next to it and Margam Park is 3kms away to the south-east.

The site is also within the Mynydd Margam Landscape of Special Historic Interest.

Neath Talbot councillor John Rogers has already voiced his concerns about the wind farm.

“Although it is not my patch, Margam Park is the jewel in the crown in Neath Port Talbot,” he said.

“There is so much history with the abbey and orangery, so the last thing we would want is a wind farm as a back drop.

“The best place for wind turbines would be at sea.”

Noise

He added: “It is early days for the application but I will be keeping an eye on it.”

Mrs Jones said: “Apart from the noise and the devaluation of properties the turbines would cause, this is an area of great beauty and always has been. It’s very close to Margam Park and we do not want this blot on the landscape.

“Residents are up in arms. We will do whatever is necessary to fight it.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/10/03/wind-farm-will-ruin-our-lives/