July 14, 2014
Wales

Windfarm plan is blown away

Ben Goddard | County Times | 14 July 2014 | www.countytimes.co.uk

Councillors have objected to plans for a windfarm labelled an “iceberg” in the Mid Wales countryside.

Powys County Council (PCC) had been asked for its recommendation on the Neuadd Goch Windfarm near Dolfor after developers RWE appealed to the planning inspector.

RWE was unhappy with the length of time PCC has taken to make a decision on the project.

At a special meeting to provide a recommendation, PCC planning officer Gwilym Davies outlined seven reasons the council opposes the project.

They included visual impact, cultural heritage, public rights of way, noise, highway safety, safe access and biodiversity.

The site is two kilometres south of Dolfor and four kilometres north of Llanbadarn Fynydd to the east of the A483 centred around Neuadd Goch Bank incorporating part of Cwmgwyn and Medwalleth Common, Dolfor.

It would include nine wind turbines with a maximum height of 126 metres.

County Councillor John Brunt branded the plans a “cash cow” for developers and said the development would be an “iceberg” in the countryside of Mid Wales.

Cllr Kath Roberts-Jones represented a “number” of local residents who were concerned about the visibility of the turbines from the A483 Dolfor to Knighton road and the effect it would have on the Kerry Ridgeway.

Margaret Flanders, local resident who lives less than a kilometre from the site, also strongly objected stating that 27 species of animals lived on the land and that bats lived in her roof which had not been assessed.

Mr Davies, planning officer, said: “The proposed development would have an unacceptable landscape character impact on the area in particular Llanbadarn Fynydd, Bryngydfa and Garreg Llwyd, including upon Glog Hill, the Kerry Ridgeway and the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.”

These comments were supported by Cllr Linda Corfield who said that if plans were accepted the landscape would become “industrialised”.

Cllr David Jones said: “This is almost a power station based on the Kerry Ridgeway.

“After looking at the site and thinking whether this is a place to build a power station, I think no it is not. This area has had an unchanged landscape for generations and I think it should be left that way.”

Powys’ objections will now be sent to the planning inspector who will decide whether or not to approve the project.

RWE will be allowed to provide supplementary information and if the details allay PCC’s concerns it can withdraw its objections.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/07/14/windfarm-plan-is-blown-away-2/