Talks of wind turbine bigger than Statue of Liberty in Gwynedd 

A colossal wind turbine – taller than the Statue of Liberty – could be built off the Menai Strait.

The structure could also affect the TV and radio signal for 2,725 householders.

A planning application has been submitted to build a 67 metre high wind turbine with a sub-station at Hendy dairy farm and touring caravan site in Llanfaglan.

If given the go-ahead, the structure will stand over 220ft (67m) would be taller than Caernarfon Castle’s Eagle tower (35m), the Marquis of Anglesey Column (27m), the Statue of Liberty in New York (46.5m) and even Nelson’s Column in London (51m).

According to plans, the structure will supply the national grid and be strong enough to provide 8% of Caernarfon’s domestic power demands making enough green electricity for 333 houses a year.

However, concerns have already been raised about the effect the structure could have on the landscape with the Countryside Council of Wales (CCW) stating it will be “clearly visible” from as far away as Snowdonia and Dyffryn Nantlle.

What’s more the turbine could affect the operation of the Arfon TV transmitter and could disrupt to television and radio service for up to 2,725 properties.
If the scheme gets permission, however, steps would be taken to “mitigate any adverse effect” in interference.
In a statement to Gwynedd Council planners, Peter Leach from agents Awel Menai – which was set up to promote energy efficiency and develop farm scale renewable energy projects in North West Wales – said: “This planning application is for the erection and operation of a 500kw wind turbine supported by the UK Government’s Feed-in Tariff mechanism for small-scale, low-carbon electricity generation.

“The Awel Menai business aims to ensure that income from the Hendy and other projects is retained locally, both as income to participating farms and through direct contributions to community benefit.

“It will help to secure the long term viability of Hendy Farm, which directly supports four (full time) jobs and uses local supplies and services, including South Caernarfon Creamery.

“Awel Menai believes that the project will be acceptable within environmental guidelines and significantly outweighed by the positive benefits that will accrue.”

A spokesman for Gwynedd Council confirmed that the application has already received a few objections from local residents.

Peter Leach, north region case work officer for the Countryside Council of Wales, said: “Although the application site is not within any designated landscape areas, it is located approximately 2km from the boundaries of the Anglesey Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and many important views look across the site.

“Furthermore, we believe it will be clearly visible from areas of Snowdonia National Park and the Dyffryn Nantlle Landscape of Historic Interest.

“Therefore, either alone or in combination with other similar developments in the area, the development will have some visual impacts upon the landscape.”

The matter is due to be discussed at next month’s planning committee meeting.