November 6, 2014
Wales

Applicants vow to appeal against wind turbine rejection

Cambrian News Online | 06 November 2014 | www.cambrian-news.co.uk

A Llanaelhaearn community group say they will appeal the decision to reject their plans to erect a wind turbine.

The controversial application to build a 67metre wind turbine at Moelfre Bach, that attracted more than £50,000 in grant funding, was rejected by planners at Gwynedd Council on Monday.

Antur Aelhaearn had wanted to build the structure, which would have generated up to 500kW of electricity, and the project was backed by Welsh Government grantfunding bodies.

Speaking following the decision, Antur Aelhaearn chairman, Dr Carl Clowes, said the group would appeal against the decision because supporters feel planners have gone against Welsh Government guidance on the renewable energy scheme.

“The report before the committee was flawed on several grounds,” he said. “There was a difference of opinion between the officers who said it would have a significant impact on the environment and the opinion of professional environmental consultants who said it would not have an impact on the environment.

“We believe we have got a very strong case to appeal that and the positive aspects of the project.”

Dr Clowes added that he wants to see the money generated from the scheme invested in a shop in the village, a nursery, office space, the chapel and the Tre’r Ceiri Iron Age fort, with the creation of 20 jobs.

The community project was backed by Ynni’r Fro community programme which inv ests in renewable energy schemes that are set up as social enterprises.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/11/06/applicants-vow-to-appeal-against-wind-turbine-rejection/