October 3, 2015
Wales

AM formally objects to Mynnyd y Gwair wind farm plan

South Wales Evening Post | October 03, 2015 | www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk

A formal objection has been raised with the Welsh Government over plans for a wind farm above Swansea.

AM for South Wales West Dr Altaf Hussain has backed residents and businesses in his objection to the Welsh Government’s planning inspectorate.

Following a Welsh Government decision to refuse permission for the project, which would see wind turbines sited on Mynydd y Gwair in north Swansea, RWE Innogy UK has launched further applications at the same site.

The project already has planning permission from Swansea Council, but must offer alternative land in exchange for the deregulation of common land upon which the project will be built.

RWE Innogy has submitted a revised application, which it says seeks to address in detail the issues raised during the previous inquiry.

However, Dr Hussain is backing residents as they continue their fight against the project. He said: “Some might regard the continuing attempts by the applicant to get these applications passed as bordering on harassment and bullying. It is clear that renewable energy provision from the area has increased massively in the past decade, and is set to do so further when the tidal lagoon is constructed.

“At the same time there has been a growing awareness of the need to de-clutter valued landscapes. Against this backdrop, the failure of the applicant to accept the minister’s decision of June 25 seems perverse and to represent a continued threat to peaceful recreation, and hence also tourism, in the area.

“I admire the residents who are continuing to fight these completely inappropriate proposals, but really they should need to keep fighting. It is time that the applicant accepted that their plans are unwelcome – they have been rejected both by the local community and indeed the minister.”

A spokesman for RWE Innogy said a public consultation was under way, and they welcomed comments from both sides.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/10/03/am-formally-objects-to-mynnyd-y-gwair-wind-farm-plan/