February 27, 2012
Wales

Fears over further wind turbines on Anglesey

by Owen R Hughes, DPW West, www.dailypost.co.uk 27 February 2012

A map highlighting a large rural area for potential wind turbine development has sparked further concern on Anglesey about the “industrialisation” of the countryside.

Representatives from Scottish renewable energy firm Locogen spoke to resident Garo Nigogosian at his property Rhos Isaf, near Llanddona, in south east Anglesey.

They made enquiries about the land around his detached farmhouse and gave him a map showing a large area they were looking at for potential development.

He passed this on to concerned local residents on Anglesey who are already battling to halt a proliferation of wind turbine applications on the island.

A spokesman from the company said that staff have been looking at potential sites for renewable development in Wales but had no plans to take forward projects on Anglesey.

They confirmed the map “looked like one of our maps” but said that although they had identified the area they had been informed that another developer was taking it forward already.

Mr Nigogosian said: “They showed me the map which they also reluctantly gave to me. This showed the large area of farmland they were looking at.

“I explained our property did not come with much of the land that was shown and was owned by a local farmer.

“I kept the map because I wanted to show people.”

Concerns over the “industrialisation” of the Anglesey countryside has sparked a series of protests on the island.

Residents are worried about the damage to the rural landscape and threat to tourism if large numbers of the turbines, some 115 metres high, get the go ahead.

Anglesey council has held a consultation into new planning guidance on the siting of turbines. The guidance is due to be released later this year and will be used by planning officers and the planning committee.

A Locogen spokesman said: “Locogen are a renewable energy company that develops commercial scale wind, hydro, biomass, anaerobic digestion and solar technologies across the UK.

“We either work on a consultancy or development basis and therefore act on behalf of, or in partnership with, local landowners.

“Renewable energy offers farmers, companies and individuals with a good opportunity to diversify their income if they have a suitable resource and no significant constraints.

“We have recently been looking at potentially suitable sites for renewable development across Wales but I can confirm that at this time we have no plans to take forward projects on Anglesey.”


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/02/27/fears-over-further-wind-turbines-on-anglesey/