February 18, 2015
Wales

Turbines plan appeal for Margam is facing opposition

Rachel Moses-Lloyd | South Wales Evening Post | February 18, 2015 | www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk

Members of Neath Port Talbot Council’s planning committee could not actually refuse an application for a wind farm yesterday – because the applicant had already lodged an appeal. Members instead agreed with what officers would have recommended, had the authority been able to determine an application for five turbines, at a height of 100 metres, on land at Mynydd Brombil, Margam.

Planning officer Steve Ball said the applicant, REG Windpower, had already lodged an appeal, which would be heard at a public inquiry on May 12.

His report said: “In respect of Mynydd Brombil, this is located within the Mynydd Margam registered landscape of special historic interest at the gateway to Port Talbot.

“The wind farm will be visible from a number of surrounding settlements and the coastal plain.”

He said the development would have an unacceptable impact on the character of the area, especially its historic and archaeological interest.

Members heard that the turbines would be visible from Aberavon beach, but would result in particularly unacceptable impacts in Margam and Goytre.

He also raised issues of a mineral site under the proposed area, and an interest from Tata Steel in mining there, but added that this could not be a reason for refusal, because no application had been submitted.

Members approved the recommendation to refuse the plan.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/02/18/turbines-plan-appeal-for-margam-is-facing-opposition/