August 13, 2015
Wales

Opposition to proposed wind farm warns against ‘environmental disaster’

Group opposed to construction of new wind farm on Mynydd y Glyn mountain, Pontypridd, holding a public rally this weekend | By David Owens | Wales Online | 13 August 2015 | www.walesonline.co.uk

A group opposed to the construction of a new wind farm on Mynydd y Glyn mountain, Pontypridd, are holding a public rally this weekend.

The protest at 11am on Sunday in the car park of the Queen’s Head Pub, Penycoedcae, Pontypridd, has been organised by Friends of Mynydd y Glyn, which includes residents from Pontypridd, Llantrisant, Tonyrefail and Porth.

The group are calling for councillors and politicians to reject the proposed plans by renenwable energy company Infinis for a wind farm in the area.

Jon Evans, local environmentalist, and author of two books – The Red Kite in Wales, and Goshawk, said: “This new wind farm poses major threats to our local wildlife and natural environment.

“Mynydd y Glyn is an important habitat for red kites, goshawks and many other rare birds. It is also a home of many scarce mammals and invertebrates.

“If this wind farm goes ahead, they will all not only face the destruction of their habitat but many of the birds will be killed by the turbine blades.

“In Scotland, it has already been established that more birds of prey are killed by wind turbines than by poisoning or shooting.

“Local people here are really enjoying seeing Red Kites in this area for first time in well over 100 years, are we now all to sit back and watch while they are being destroyed?

“The mountain upland is part of a rich, mosaic of interconnected habitats which includes a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest).

“If we lose this, they will all be affected. It’s a potential environmental disaster.

“I think it’s fair to say we’ve already got more than enough wind farms in our area, and more and more people throughout the valleys are now saying enough is enough.”

A spokesperson for Friends of Mynydd y Glyn, Sue Morris, from Penycoedcae, Pontypridd, said: “The opposition to this proposed new wind farm is growing every day.

“Mynydd y Glyn is an area of unspoiled beauty, rich in wildlife, and many local people enjoy spending time there precisely for that reason.

“Residents from all the areas surrounding the mountain, and even further afield in Rhondda Cynon Taff, are joining us in the fight to protect and preserve our natural heritage for ourselves and future generations. Everyone is welcome to come along and get involved.”

Infinis project manager Julie Aitken said that a scoping report had been submitted for up to six wind turbines at 115 metres to tip height and that the company had held a round of public exhibitions in Porth, Trebanog, Tonyrefail and Pontypridd.

“Each exhibition attracted a mixed audience with many in support of the wind farm,” she said. “The scoping consultation responses are currently being reviewed as well as the feedback received from the public exhibitions.

“It is too early to say whether this exercise will lead to any changes in the project design.”


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/08/13/opposition-to-proposed-wind-farm-warns-against-environmental-disaster/