August 10, 2015
Wales

Controversial turbine plans for Drummau Mountain withdrawn

South Wales Evening Post | August 09, 2015 | www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk

Plans for a wind turbine that ‘would spoil a magical mountain’ have been withdrawn.

Residents who were opposed to plans for a turbine on Drummau Mountain have been left overjoyed after the application was withdrawn.

People living right across Neath, in Skewen, Bryncoch, and in Cimla, claimed their view would have been left blighted by the 77-metre high turbine on top of the mountain.

The planning application was submitted in May but this week it was withdrawn by the applicant.

Both residents and elected representatives queried whether the potential wind generation capacity of the turbine would justify the environmental, social and visual disruption it would cause at this location.

The formal consultation period ended on June 25, but Neath Port Talbot Council’s planning department continued to accept comments on the application.

In just three months, the department received a petition with hundreds of local residents raising concerns, numerous individuals raising objections and an online petition with 365 signatures.

Mynydd Drummau is said to have inspired Alfred Russel Wallace, the world famous botanist, to take up the study of evolution during his walks on the mountain around 1841.

Bryncoch South councillor Rob James has welcomed the news. He said: “This is good news for local residents that were concerned that the planned application would cause great environmental disruption, with little benefit in return.

“In recent weeks, I have received numerous calls, emails and a petition signed by hundreds of residents regarding this application. It is clearly a matter that is incredibly important to many people and I am sure many residents will be delighted to hear that an area of historical and environmental importance has been saved.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/08/10/controversial-turbine-plans-for-drummau-mountain-withdrawn/