Mid Wales MP tells Commons of turbine concerns
Shropshire Star | February 14, 2014 | www.shropshirestar.com
Shropshire Star | February 14, 2014 | www.shropshirestar.com
Concerns over the impact of planned windfarms and a 33-mile power line on Shropshire and Mid Wales have been spelt out in Parliament.
Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies secured a 30-minute debate over concerns about plans for five windfarms in Powys and proposals by National Grid to run a power line across parts of Mid Wales and Shropshire.
The windfarms are the subject of a lengthy public inquiry, while National Grid is pressing ahead with its plans for the power line, which would link a substation near the village of Cefn Coch to Lower Frankton near Oswestry.
Mr Davies said today he was pleased with how Wednesday’s debate went.
He said: “I am satisfied because I wanted the debate so we could look at two main issues. First of all I wanted to try to explain the scale of the proposed windfarms, because I think there are still so many people who don’t understand the potential impacts of these schemes.
“And secondly I wanted to press the Government to consider a moratorium on onshore windfarms because I firmly believe enough is enough.”
“Hopefully the debate will influence the Government’s election manifesto.”
During the debate Mr Davies pointed out the strength of feeling locally against the windfarms and power lines.
Shrewsbury and Atcham MP Daniel Kawczynski also spoke saying the plans had sparked battle in his constituency to stop the power lines coming through part of the area.
Business minister Michael Fallon urged people to get involved, saying “Deciding where and how that infrastructure is delivered requires informed and balanced consideration of a number of factors.”
Meanwhile, Montgomeryshire Assembly Member Russell George has called for wider public consultation on plans for a wind turbine which he says will look over town of Newtown.
Mr George says the 34 metre high wind turbine planned on a hill above the town will be visible for miles around.
A planning application has been submitted for the single turbine at Bryn Farm near Bryn Lane.
Mr George said: “I’m very concerned that plans for such a large turbine in such a conspicuous position above Newtown have not gone out to wider consultation. It will be positioned overlooking the town and visible for miles around and yet the plans have been limited to standard planning notices which means a single planning notice has to be put up near to the site.”
Mr George has urged residents to check the plans which are available at the county council’s planning website at www.powys.gov.uk
He has also written to Councillor Rosemarie Harris, Powys County Council’s cabinet member responsible for planning. The application for the wind turbine has been made by a Glasgow-based company, Urban Wind Ltd.
County councillor Peter Harrissaid: “Residents and businesses in the town and surrounding area should take a look at these plans and submit comments.”
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/02/15/mid-wales-mp-tells-commons-of-turbine-concerns/