March 14, 2012
Wales

Turbines cut to calm critics of North Wales plan

by David Powell, DPW West, www.dailypost.co.uk 13 March 2012

Windfarm developers have cut a proposed number of turbines from 17 to ten to try to gain approval from planners.

Staff at Windpower Wales Group plc say they have listened to objectors and amended their scheme in a new bid to Conwy County Borough Council having withdrawn an earlier proposal.

The scheme at Llys Dymper windfarm on Hiraethog Moor near Gwytherin and Llansannan would generate enough electricity to supply the equivalent annual demand of some 15,000 homes in North Wales.

Managing director Eryl Vaughan said: “This submission for ten turbines with a maximum tip height of 110 metres follows the withdrawal of the previous application for 17 turbines with tip heights of 126 metres.” He said there have been “significant changes” to the project.

The windfarm would be connected to the grid at the local sub-station in Llansannan, there would be a more direct access route to the site and money for a community fund would be paid directly to six community councils. Proposed turbines near curlews’ nesting sites have been dropped after concerns from the RSPB and Countryside Council for Wales.

The developers also say they would set up a “high interest bond” and local investors exclusively could contribute to

it towards the cost of building the project. Mr Vaughan, of Windpower Wales Group plc in Llanfairtalhaiarn, Abergele, said: “We are confident we have taken everybody’s views in consideration. Some people who are implacably opposed to windfarms on the hills but most people are supportive.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/03/14/turbines-cut-to-calm-critics-of-north-wales-plan/