February 21, 2013
Wales

Protesters gear up for Llanllwni wind farm fight

Carmarthen Journal | 21 February 2013 | www.thisissouthwales.co.uk

Protesters are gearing up for the next round in their battle against plans to build a wind farm above Llanllwni.

An application has been made by the Crown Estates to ‘de-register’ some areas of the common land on Mynydd Llanllwni. The consultation closes next month.

It is part of a separate process for a planning application for 21 wind turbines by developer Renewable Energy Systems (RES) Ltd.

The company has said it will replace the common land needed for the development with the same amount of alternative farm land. RES is also appealing to the Welsh Assembly after its planning application was rejected by Carmarthenshire Council’s planning committee last November.

A decision is expected soon on whether the appeal will be accepted and go to a public inquiry.

John Jones, chairman of the Friends of Mynydd Llanllwni action group, said: “We have been holding meetings again to prepare for the next round. We’ve had a rest over Christmas and we’re back at it now.

“We always knew the appeal could happen from the beginning – we’ve won the first battle in this war but there’s more to be done.”

He said they were considering how to respond to the common land application as well as the appeal.

Despite handing in their representations to Carmarthenshire Council, if it goes to appeal, they will have to submit all their objections again.

“We’ll be looking at all the options they could be appealing against,” Mr Jones added. “We’ve got our barristers and lawyers in place and we’re being advised of the best approach of upholding the wishes of local people and the local councillors.”

RES said that Mynydd Llanllwni was an ideal location for a wind farm.

Company spokesman Dan Patterson said previously: “We believe there is a strong case to be answered, not least because the site lies within a strategic area earmarked for renewable energy development by the Welsh Government.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/02/21/protesters-gear-up-for-llanllwni-wind-farm-fight/