December 14, 2012
Wales

Powys wind farms: Pentre Tump, Mynydd-y-Cemmaes refused

BBC News | 13 December 2012 | www.bbc.co.uk

Councillors have rejected plans for two wind farms in Powys.

Schemes for 12 turbines at Mynydd-y-Cemmaes, near Llanbrynmair, and three at Pentre Tump, near New Radnor, were recommended for refusal.

It is the second time in two years that plans for Pentre Tump have been turned down by councillors, and the developer said it was disappointing.

Revamped proposals for the site were drawn up and resubmitted with the council earlier this year.

The authority said the application for the three 340ft (103m) turbines would have an unacceptable impact on the landscape and the view in the area.

There were also concerns the development did not have an appropriate road, and there was local opposition.

REG Windpower, which planned to build at Pentre Tump, said it had worked hard during the last two years to address the council’s concerns, so it was disappointed with the decision.

Owen Saward, REG Windpower’s development manager for the scheme, added: “More than 150 local people wrote to Powys County Council in support of the wind farm so they will also be disappointed with this outcome.

“We appreciate that, of course, wind turbines have some effect on the local landscape for a temporary period, but this must be balanced against the need to generate as much safe, clean, renewable electricity as possible to combat the infinitely more damaging effects of dangerous climate change.”

Rights of way

The Mynydd-y-Cemmaes turbines would have measured 377ft (115m), and plans were submitted by Acciona Energy UK Ltd.

A Powys council report said there was insufficient information to support the application “to allow a positive recommendation on landscape and visual impact, highway safety, noise, biodiversity, public rights of way, tourism and grid connection”.

Opposition to wind farms has grown in Powys since proposals were announced to build a 19-acre electricity sub-station in the county.

About 1,500 campaigners gathered at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay in May last year against the plans, which also include a corridor of pylons from 10 planned wind farms.

The village of Cefn Coch, near Llanfair Caereinion, was chosen as the preferred location for the sub-station in July.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/12/14/powys-wind-farms-pentre-tump-mynydd-y-cemmaes-refused/