September 2, 2013
Wales

Powys frowns on RES wind farm

renews.biz

Planners at Powys County Council have recommended RES’ 23-turbine Garreg Lwyd wind farm be refused at committee this week.

A report ahead of this Thursday’s meeting highlights “unacceptable” landscape and visual impacts from the 46MW facility plus cumulative effects on cultural heritage assets in the area.

“Although significant weight must be given to the benefits of securing renewable energy, it is considered that on balance the… impact outweighs the benefits,” case officer Gwilym Davies said in his report.

A separate application from RES for highway upgrades and new access tracks to accommodate turbine component deliveries also received a negative recommendation.

Garreg Lwyd is located in one of seven strategic search areas identified in the Welsh government’s TAN8 policy as potentially suitable for onshore turbines.

However, the Powys planner said the RES site “is not environmentally suitable for major wind power proposals” due to the proximity of “a considerable number of scheduled monuments”.

The application “does not therefore meet the policy aspirations of TAN 8 and cannot be claimed … to deliver the required level of ‘public benefit’ to justify approval,” Davies said.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/09/02/powys-frowns-on-res-wind-farm/