November 12, 2011
Wales

Fears mountain view may be lost

South Wales Evening Post, www.thisissouthwales.co.uk 12 November 2011

Port Talbot residents have been given the chance to air their concerns about a proposed wind farm.

REG Windpower is behind plans to put five turbines on Mynydd Brombil, overlooking the town, which it has said would be capable of powering around 5,000 homes.

An exhibition held yesterday invited residents to discuss the project with members of the development team, as well as view visualisations demonstrating how the wind farm would appear.

But many residents raised concerns at the event.

Jeff Jones, 59, from Taibach, said: “I am totally opposed to land-based wind turbines. They affect the landscape.”

Alan Evans, of Stallcourt Close, said he believed he would be able to see the wind turbines from his Margam home. “I don’t see why they need something like this,” he said.

“The ones in Glynneath stick out like a sore thumb. My concern is that if they would attract more turbines on the mountains.”

Robert Jones, of Richmond Place, added: “It is going to impact the whole area. It is going to be horrendous for the people in Goytre.

“The only place we have got a view is of the mountains and they want to put a wind farm there.”

Bryn and Cwmavon councillor Marian Lewis said she had her concerns about the turbines being brought through Bryn.

“We have enough problems with the loggers using the narrow roads,” she said.

“Residents are not going to be happy if they choose a route through Bryn.

“The infrastructure is not suitable.”

Both Aberavon MP Dr Hywel Francis and AM David Rees have also both indicated their opposition to the plans.

A second exhibition was due to be held today at Taibach Community Centre, in Duke Street from 9am to 1pm.

John Davies, REG Windpower’s development manager for the project, said: “We believe this is an excellent way to generate significant quantities of much-needed safe, clean, renewable energy, but we also want to know what local people think. We look forward to explaining our proposals to as many people as possible and will be very happy to answer their questions.

The company has also revealed it is setting up a community fund which would pay £40,000 a year to worthy causes throughout the life of the wind farm.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/11/12/fears-mountain-view-may-be-lost/