January 24, 2013
Wales

Anglesey councillors take stand against wind turbines plans

Geraint Jones | North Wales Chronicle, | www.northwaleschronicle.co.uk

Anglesey councillors moved to protect communities, landscape and the island’s tourist economy by opposing the development of medium or large wind turbines.

A full meeting of Anglesey Council today (Thursday, January 24) approved two amendments to the draft Special Planning Guidance (SPG), proposed by councillor Hywel Eifion Jones.

These were:

● for wind turbines over 20 metres the separation distance from residential or tourism properties will be the greater of 500 metres or 20 times the tip height (in metres)

● medium or large wind turbines with Anglesey’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) or within two kilometres will not be supported.

Further amendments from Cllr Aled Morris Jones and Cllr Elwyn Schofield were also backed.

Cllr Jones proposed that the cumulative effect of wind turbines on individual areas should also be considered; whilst cllr Schofield proposed developers must submit a bond before planning permission is released to ensure sites were properly cleared once a turbine became redundant.

After the meeting, Anglesey Council leader cllr Bryan Owen, said: “The strength of feeling against these huge wind turbines in communities across the length and breadth of Anglesey is clear.

“More than 8,000 people signed a petition opposing them during the recent SPG consultation process.

“As councillors, we have a duty to represent our constituents and the Island. Today, I believe we have listened and acted in the best interest of the people and Anglesey as a whole.”

The authority has 22 live wind turbine applications.

Officers will now review the implications of changes adopted today to decide whether or not the decision should be reviewed by Welsh Government commissioners.

Maread Thomas of campaigners Anglesey Against Wind Turbines, added:

“I think the councillors understood their remit – this is a valid position that the public have taken, and they expect the councillors to represent them when they have genuine concerns and when tose concerns are supported by a lot of evidence that’s out there.”

For full coverage of the wind turbine issue, turn to the North Wales Chronicle’s print edition on Thursday, January 31.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/01/24/anglesey-councillors-take-stand-against-wind-turbines-plans/