August 8, 2012
Wales

Ceiriog Valley wind farm plans rejected

Published by: Staff Reporter | Oswestry & Border Counties Advertizer | www.bordercountiesadvertizer.co.uk 7 August 2012

Plans to build five wind turbines in the Ceiriog Valley have been rejected. An application by Quiet Revolution to build the 5kW turbines to the north of Spring Hill Farm to a maximum height of 21.5 metres was refused by Wrexham County Borough Council planning committee recently.

At the meeting, Glyn Ceiriog Valley resident David Andrews spoke against the proposals. He said: “I think if this is allowed it will start a precedent and the valley could look like some parts of mid Wales.

“I don’t think it would be good for tourism. We should be seeking to protect the status of the Ceiriog Valley,” he added.

Mr Andrews said many keen walkers were now avoiding going to mid Wales because of the growing numbers of wind turbines present.
However, speaking in favour of the proposals Steve Bembow, a relative of the property owner, warned climate change was a growing threat to the environment.

“We need to look after our landscape and look after species in that landscape. I think it would be wonderful to move towards a cleaner and more environmentally friendly atmosphere,” he said.

Mr Bembow stressed he felt tourism would not be hit if the turbine bid was given the green light.

Ward member for the Ceiriog Valley, Barbara Roberts, spoke against the proposals, saying: “The valley has inspired poets and writers for centuries.

Special qualities will be lost if this development is allowed.”

Four people penned their support for the plans with one claiming that renewable energy would be “good for Wrexham.”

But the application was recommended for refusal by planning officers on the grounds that it failed to respect the special character of the area.

This view was supported by the Llansanffraid Glyn Ceiriog Community Council which expressed concerns that it would open the floodgate for other turbine applications.

Glyntraian Community Council was also concerned about the damage to hedgerows. A previous planning application for three 91m wind turbines on land 400m away at Cefn Coed was refused in 2002.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/08/08/ceiriog-valley-wind-farm-plans-rejected/