November 3, 2014
Wales

Wind turbine plans for Llanaelhaearn rejected

Community wind turbine rejected | BBC News | 3 November 2014 | www.bbc.com

A proposal for a wind turbine in a Gwynedd village which has divided the community has been refused planning permission by councillors.

The application had been for a 67m (219ft) wind turbine in Llanaelhaearn, on the Llŷn Peninsula, near an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Supporters had claimed the turbine could generate nearly £3m profit over twenty years for a poor community.

Council officers said it would be an “alien feature” harming the landscape.

The scheme was being proposed by four farmers and the Antur Aelhaearn co-operative, on farmland on the eastern side of Moelfre hill.

After the meeting, Carl Clowes from Antur Aelhaearn said the group would appeal to the Welsh government.

The application was previously deferred to allow councillors the chance to have a site visit and study additional information.

A planning report had noted the site was only 600m from the Llŷn area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) and a mile from the Eifl site of special scientific interest.

The edge of Snowdonia National Park is around five miles away.

The council’s policy is that application for wind turbines within Llŷn’s AONB will be refused.

Both Natural Resources Wales and historic monuments charity Cadw had objected to the scheme.

Some residents had told the BBC their opposition to the scheme had led to such ill feeling that some families removed their children from the village school.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/11/03/wind-turbine-plans-for-llanaelhaearn-rejected/