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Wind farm fears at beauty spot between Lloc and Caerwys
Credit: Robert Doman | The Leader | 03 July 2013 | www.leaderlive.co.uk ~~
Fears are mounting that land overlooking an iconic beauty spot could give way to a wind farm.
Flintshire Wind Energy has submitted a planning application to Flintshire Council to put up a temporary 80-metre mast between Lloc and Caerwys.
Land at Ffrith Y Garregwen has been earmarked by the company to house the ‘anemometer’ mast, which measures and monitors wind speed and direction to assess suitability for wind farms.
It could pave the way for a proposed wind farm, which would be subject to a separate planning application, a possibility which has angered community leaders.
Flintshire and Caerwys councillor Jim Falshaw said: “It would be a travesty if a wind farm was to go there.
“I regard the land in question as a gateway to North Wales. It offers a beautiful view and I feel very strongly about it.
“We have to protect our land and our scenery. Tourism is a very important thing for Wales.”
West Coast Energy Limited, the agent acting on behalf of Flintshire Wind Energy Limited, say that as part of the assessment into suitability of the site it is “undertaking several studies to determine the suitability of the site for wind energy and the environmental impact of any proposed development”.
The temporary mast would be in situ for three years on an area of pasture land overlooking the Clwydian Range and just three miles from the designated area of outstanding natural beauty.
Steel wires measuring 6mm in diameter would hold the anemometer mast in place, reaching about 40m either side of the structure itself.
The base of the mast measures 27cm at its base and tapers to 15cm at its peak and would be situated about 600m away from the nearest properties taking just one day to construct and leaving no legacy upon its removal.
Flintshire Councillor, Chris Dolphin, who is also a member of the Whitfield Community Council which represents the nearest residents to the proposed development said: “I am seriously concerned about the impact any wind farm could have on people and the countryside itself.
“Things like this are fairly contentious applications and there is a noise from any wind farm.
“There will probably be no financial benefit for the local community and I can’t think of any advantages to it.”
Flintshire Council are set to make a decision on the mast by August 12.
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