March 17, 2012
Wales

Council objecting to windfarm bids

www.southshropshirejournals.com 16 March 2012

Powys County Council is to formally object to two large windfarm applications that will be decided by the Department of Energy and Climate Change.

The council’s cabinet agreed that it would object to applications for windfarms at Llanbadarn Fynnydd, near Newtown and Carnedd Wen, Llanbrynmair when it met in Llandrindod Wells on Tuesday.

Both applications are for developments with energy outputs above 50mw and will be determined by the DECC with the county council, a statutory consultee.

The decision to object is likely to trigger a public inquiry.

Officers had recommended objecting to the applications, the Llanbadarn Fynnydd application on highway grounds and the Carnedd Wen application on environment impact and highway grounds.

After debating the reports, cabinet members added additional grounds for objecting to the applications.

They included the unacceptable landscape and visual impact of the applications including the detrimental effect on tourism and other economic factors.

There was also a lack of certainty as to whether the proposed developments would contribute or result in the necessity for significant grid infrastructure development which may have the potential for further adverse impact on the landscape including visual, economic and environmental well-being of the area.

The cabinet is also to seek additional funding from the Welsh Government to aid with the cost of subsequent public inquiries.

Council leader, Councillor Michael Jones, said: “The cabinet carefully considered reports for both applications and unanimously agreed to support the recommendations and formally object to the proposals.

“We object to both applications because of their impact on the county’s environment, the impact on the highway infrastructure and because they fail to meet a number of important national and county planning policies.”

Last week, the county council’s planning committee turned down an application for an 11-turbine windfarm at Waun Garno, Llawryglyn.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/03/17/council-objecting-to-windfarm-bids/