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Legal challenge on cards to stop giant wind farm
Credit: South Wales Evening Post | www.thisissouthwales.co.uk | 17 May 2012 ~~
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Residents are demanding action to stop their homes from being overshadowed by a huge wind farm.
They want a public inquiry after the £365 million project, the largest onshore wind farm in England and Wales, was given the go-ahead.
And they have warned they will continue to fight the plans for the Pen y Cymoedd development, including the possibility of seeking a judicial review of the approval.
It will be built between Neath and Aberdare, comprising some 76 turbines said to be 145 metres high – three times the size of Nelson’s Column.
But there are fears about the impact on communities including the Afan Valley village of Glyncorrwg.
Now the Glyncorrwg Action Group has written to Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change Charles Hendry asking him to reconsider his decision.
“This wind farm will have a devastating impact on individuals and the community,” residents said in their letter to Mr Hendry.
“We were very disappointed to hear the news that it has been granted planning permission.
“You have handed over a slice of Welsh countryside – a beautiful green valley surrounded by hills.
“This site, which will horrify residents and visitors, has been imposed by Whitehall onto our small community.”
Developer Vattenfall could start construction next year. It has estimated the 299MW wind farm could power the equivalent of 206,000 homes a year.
The company has confirmed it will invest in a £3 million local habitat project.
It will also put money into a community fund to provide guaranteed funding support for regeneration of more than £55 million over the next 25 years.
But this is not enough to sway opponents, who claim the disadvantages outweigh any community benefits.
Meanwhile, Aberavon AM David Rees and MP Hywel Francis have both voiced disappointment that the project has been approved.
They are seeking urgent talks to ensure the concerns of villagers are addressed.
They are also backing calls for decisions on such developments to be made by the Welsh, rather than central, Government.
Villagers now have to wait to hear back from Mr Hendry.
But in their letter they warned: “We fully intend to fight our corner and we seek a judicial review on the decision to build the wind farm.”
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