March 27, 2015
Wales

Plans for controversial wind turbine in Rhosesmor thrown out

Owen Evans | News North Wales | 26 March 2015 | www.newsnorthwales.co.uk

A highly controversial wind turbine which would have been the height of about nine double-decker buses has been thrown out.

An application for an 86.5 metre-high windmill on Lygan Uchaf Farm, Wern Road in Rhosesmor was unanimously rejected by members of Flintshire Council’s planning committee.

More than a dozen members of the public turned out yesterday to witness the decision on the plan, which has been subject to a high level of opposition from people living close to the site.

Several people spoke out against the proposal at the meeting, with one member of the public stating the turbine would have been almost as tall as Hanson Cement’s kiln in Padeswood.

Nobody was present to speak in support of the application.

The local member Cllr Colin Legg spoke out against the decision, but also condemned “hate mail” received by the landowner.

Cllr Legg said: “I would like to express my repugnance for the hate mail that has been sent to the applicant.

“But the proposal would be a grossly invasive build on this landscape.

“It would cause unimaginable harm to a great extent of the area.”

The plan had been recommended for refusal, with Andrew Farrow, the council’s chief officer for planning and environment saying the plans would “have an unacceptable impact on the character of the landscape”.

Resident Gareth Raynolds, who spoke on behalf of a group of residents against the plans, said: “This gigantic turbine of industrial proportions would be totally out of context with the area and a blot on the landscape.

“As residents we believe this turbine is the wrong size in the wrong place with significant potential for negative impact on the health of the residents of this area.”

Prior to the meeting, there had been 163 letters of objection lodged by members of the public.

Objections were also lodged by Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport, Halkyn Community Council and Cilcain Community Council, The Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales and Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Joint Advisory Committee.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/03/27/plans-for-controversial-wind-turbine-in-rhosesmor-thrown-out/