August 29, 2012
Wales

Wind farm plan welcomed – but concerns raised

South Wales Evening Post | www.thisissouthwales.co.uk 29 August 2012

A report into plans for 200 wind turbines in the Bristol Channel has been broadly welcomed by planners in Carmarthenshire.

As part of the county council’s consultation on the project, planners have said they do not object in principle to the Atlantic Array Offshore Wind Farm.

Concerns were raised about some aspects of the proposal, however, including the effect on tourism and the view from the coast.

The proposed development, by energy company RWE Npower Renewables, is made up of between 188 and 278 wind turbines, depending on the final type of turbines used.

It will have a generating capacity of up to 1,500 megawatts and at its nearest point will be about 22 miles from the Carmarthenshire coast.

A report approved by Carmarthenshire Council’s planning committee yesterday said: “The scale of the proposed scheme will appear visually overwhelming on the horizon when visibility is very good.

“However, visibility will diminish under deteriorating meteorological conditions and is likely to reduce the scheme’s impact.”

Impacts

It adds: “The council does not object to the principle of the scheme due to the significant renewable energy benefits.

“The council has concerns regarding seascape and visual impacts, particularly from Pembrey Burrows.”

Speaking at the meeting, councillor Daff Davies, of Llansteffan, asked: “Will it affect the sea trout and sewin running into the rivers of west Wales?

“This is a very lucrative industry worth millions.”

He was assured that the environmental impact assessment showed there would be no effect on fish.

The committee heard that electricity produced by the wind farm would be taken underground to a sub-station proposed in North Devon.

The project is still out for consultation and will have to be considered by the National Infrastructure Directorate and approved by Westminster.

It is expected that RWE Npower Renewables will submit its final plans for consideration by the end of the year.

Swansea Council planners are due to meet tomorrow at 5.30pm to discuss their response to the proposals.

Meanwhile, campaigners from Gower are reminding people that letters of objection from members of the public should be submitted by the end of this week.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/08/29/wind-farm-plan-welcomed-but-concerns-raised/