April 5, 2015
Wales

Keep turbine plan decisions local petition

Ben Goddard | County Times | 05 April 2015 | www.countytimes.co.uk

Protesters campaigning to keep wind turbine decisions made locally have taken their petition to the Welsh Assembly’s Senedd.

Michael Halsey, from Dolfor, handed his petition signed by over 450 people to Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire Russell George along with AM for Mid and West Wales and Chair of the Petitions Committee William Powell.

The petition, set up by Mr Halsey and his partner Claudi, urges the Welsh Government to keep planning decisions for wind turbines made locally and to consider the impact on third parties of these infrastructures.

Mr Halsey said that the petition requests the Welsh Assembly Government ensures that future planning laws protect the views and wishes of local people and also provide adequate compensation for victims of major infrastructure projects which blight their homes and businesses.

He said: “We call upon the National Assembly for Wales to urge the Welsh Government during its reform of the Welsh planning system, to ensure/guarantee that planning decisions will be taken at the most local level as possible to enable sufficient community engagement and support.

“Moreover, it encourages the Welsh Government to examine in detail, the impact that major infrastructure schemes have on third parties in Wales and considers the implementation of legislation to properly protect and compensate all third parties suffering actual loss from the construction, commissioning and operation of major infrastructure projects.”

Mr Halsey thanked both Mr Powell as well as co-committee member Mr George, for being supportive of his petition and presented them a copy certificate.

At their meeting earlier in the day, the Petitions Committee had unanimously agreed to submit Mr and Mrs Halsey’s letter and sent it to the Minister responsible for the new Planning (Wales) Bill. This is currently being considered by the National Assembly before passing into law in the next few weeks.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/04/05/keep-turbine-plan-decisions-local-petition/