June 4, 2014
Wales

Turbine to be built opposite Dylan Thomas’s boathouse

BBC News | 3 June 2014 | www.bbc.co.uk

Controversial plans to build a wind turbine on a hillside opposite poet Dylan Thomas’s Boathouse have been approved contrary to planning advice.

The proposals for the turbine at Mwche farm, Llansteffan, were recommended for refusal but councillors went against those recommendations.

Campaigners had protested against the plans, claiming the turbine would blight the view from the iconic house.

Councillors said the move was consistent with other decisions.

Laugharne Township Community councillor John Bradshaw, who was one of dozens of people to oppose the application, said he was shocked by the decision.

“I am obviously disappointed because it’s such an iconic view. It’s an image which is seen all over the world,” he said.

“That view is probably why Dylan Thomas came to Laugharne and it goes back much further than Dylan as well.”

“There was such strong feeling against it [the turbine] from both sides of the river. I am just flummoxed to think they have passed it,” he added.

Centenary year

Mr Bradshaw said local people would investigate to see if they could appeal against the decision.

A spokesman for Carmarthenshire council said planning officers would bring the application back to the committee giving detailed reasons for approving the scheme.

The council’s head of planning has also been granted powers to set conditions on the application, the spokesman added.

This year marks the centenary of Dylan Thomas’s birth and a series of events are taking place throughout 2014 to celebrate his work.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/06/04/turbine-to-be-built-opposite-dylan-thomass-boathouse/

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