December 7, 2011
Wales

Objections to water firm turbines bid

Carmarthen Journal, www.thisissouthwales.co.uk 7 December 2011

Plans by a well-known mineral water company to site two 284ft wind turbines on land near Tavernspite have received 90 objections, with a local organisation calling for it to be withdrawn.

The application, by Princes Gate Spring Water is for two 86.5 metre turbine which would generate 800 kilowatts of electricity each.

Plans for the site, on the back road from Templeton to Tavernspite, also include access track and underground cabling.

Among the objections raised are adverse impact on the local landscape and on local historic landmarks; Middleton Top and the Scheduled Ancient Monuments known as Castell Meherin camps located on the horizon.

It is also felt the development would add to the visual impact of other windfarms, such as the smaller 80 metre turbines at nearby Pendine.

One of the objectors is the local branch of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales (CPRW).

A statement from the organisation read: “These two turbines – larger than any yet built in the county or those at Pendine – are situated in open farmland on a prominent ridge which is the highest point in south Pembrokeshire.

“Residents claim that far more of the ancient camps has been revealed in recent years than shown on any map and that their character and setting will be damaged by this inappropriate proposal.

“The UK Government’s database shows the area around the developer’s bottled water premises actually enjoys a superior wind speed, meaning the turbines could be sited less harmfully there yet with a greater energy output.”

In response to concerns raised, agents Locogen Ltd have stated to planners: “While three scheduled monument sites have been predicted to experience medium impacts, the wider significance of these impacts should be assessed.

“The acceptability of the proposed development is considered to be largely due to the containment of effects within a localised area and the limited effects on the rest of the study area.”

It adds: “A number of alternative layouts were examined during both the feasibility and design stages.

“One of the main considerations is the importance of maximising the distance between turbines and nearby residential dwellings to mitigate potential issues such as noise, shadow flicker and a loss of visual amenity.”

The application will be considered at a later date.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/12/07/objections-to-water-firm-turbines-bid/