South Wales Evening Post | Posted: March 09, 2015 | www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk
Major concerns have been voiced by community leaders in Pontarddulais over the proposal to develop a wind farm on Mynydd y Gwair.
Fears were expressed over flooding and questions were asked over how wide the routes would be to allow the turbines to be transported to the site.
Members of Pontarddulais Town Council made clear to representatives of RWE Innogy UK Ltd that they were opposed to the proposal for 16 turbines, which was backed by Swansea Council by three votes, subject to conditions.
They made it clear they hoped the scheme would be blocked by the Welsh Government in spite of efforts made by RWE to reassure councillors of the efforts being made on the project to meet all the conditions that they had been set. Tim James, project construction manager for RWE Energy, said a traffic management plan was being produced and a pipe connected to the development would be three metres down. He said he hoped the conditions relating to the project would be discharged by the end of July.
If the plan does go ahead in full it could take two years to be developed.
But councillor Ron Waterhouse said: “Let’s hope and pray the Welsh Office are against it and they stop you.” He added: “If you’re giving away £240,000 in community grants, isn’t that what we give you through grants?”
But Angharad Davies, public affairs manager, for RWE Innogy UK Ltd, said the cash fund was in keeping with other green energy schemes. She said: “There is a debate over renewable energy but we need the supplies to ensure we keep the lights on.”
Councillor Dai Beynon described the wind farm as “a monstrosity” and added: “Like everyone here I am opposed.”
The turbines would have a maximum height of 127 metres with a hub height of 80 metres at Mynydd y Gwair.
But Mr James, project construction manager for RWE energy, said: “We are producing a traffic management plan which is being drafted. There will be a number of passing places installed and 2.5 metre vehicles will be able to pass at any point.”
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/03/09/fears-over-floods-and-access-to-mynydd-y-gwair-wind-farm/