June 26, 2013
Wales

Villages in opposition to turbines

Carmarthen Journal | June 26, 2013 | www.thisissouthwales.co.uk

Plans for a community wind turbine have attracted opposition in two villages near Cardigan.

Some people in the village of Ferwig and nearby Gwbert are against the development, claiming it will devalue their houses and scar the landscape.

Awel Deg/Fair Wind, who are behind the project, say the turbine will provide 300 local homes with energy and the area will benefit from any net income from the turbine.

But the announcement has received a frosty reception with some claiming they will find it difficult to sell their houses if the plan goes ahead.

Hilda and Chris Barrass are campaigning against the development.

Mrs Barrass said: “We are extremely concerned about the proposed wind turbine in Ferwig, which will dominate Ferwig, the Teifi estuary, St Dogmaels and be clearly visible from the Pembrokeshire National Park where it meets Poppit Sands.”

Lyn Jenkins from Gwbert has campaigned against wind turbines and wind farms for 15 years. He claims the arrival of a turbine on his doorstep is bad news for the entire community.

He said: “In other parts of the country I have spoken to people and they say they’ve lost between £50,000 and £80,000 from the value of their homes because of the arrival of turbines.

“People are worried the same thing will happen here, because let’s face it, who wants to live next to a wind turbine?

The 220ft-high development is set to be built on land at Bryn Farm in Ferwig. It is expected to cost £1.25 million, which the co-operative hopes to raise by selling shares to the public. Awel Deg/Fair Wind want to use the venture to fund further sustainable energy projects in the area.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/06/26/villages-in-opposition-to-turbines/