February 3, 2012
Wales

Hundreds protest in Llangefni over wind turbine proposals

Published by: Geraint Jones, North Wales Chronicle, www.northwaleschronicle.co.uk

Protesters converged on Anglesey Council headquarters before talks on building gigantic wind turbines on the Island.

Anglesey Against Wind Turbines (AAWT) demonstrated yesterday (Wednesday, February 1) as councillors met to discuss the four applications, which include a near 40 metre turbine in Bodneithior.

An AAWT spokesman warned building commercial turbines higher than 15 metres could affect the Island’s £250m annual tourism income.

He said: “People are coming here while the landscape is pristine, but will they still come when the landscape is littered with over-large turbines?”

Councillors deferred the applications on January 18, and decided to visit the Bodneithor site.

The council has received more than 70 applications for turbines including plans for a turbine of up to 18 metres in Parys Mountain, Amlwch, due to be discussed by Anglesey Council’s planning and orders committee.

Anglesey Council’s public consultation on its draft Special Planning Guidance (SPG) document ends on Friday, February 10.

The draft SP states turbines should not exceed five decibels above background noise.

Assessments would be needed for any turbines above 15 metres that were within a kilometre of conversation areas, listed buildings and World Heritage Sites.

The AAWT called the draft document “weak” and “woolly.”

He added: “It doesn’t take into account the culminative effect of lots of small turbines.”

An Anglesey Council spokesman said it recognised the level of concern regarding wind turbines, particularly large-scale developments, on the Island.

“The ongoing consultation on the Supplementary Planning Guidelines regarding Onshore Wind Energy is an opportunity for everyone to have their say, and we would urge the public to take this opportunity to send comments.”

Copies of the document and response form can be downloaded from www.anglesey.gov.uk/consultations.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/02/03/hundreds-protest-in-llangefni-over-wind-turbine-proposals/