March 8, 2018
Wales

Inquiry which will decide fate of windfarm planned for Radnorshire beauty spot to open

By Twm Owen - News Editor | The Brecon & Radnor Express | 7 March 2018 | www.brecon-radnor.co.uk

A pressure group has renewed its calls for plans for a windfarm near common land in Radnorshire to be rejected ahead of a public inquiry.

Hendy Wind Farm Limited wants an independent planning inspector to overturn Powys County Council’s planning committee’s decision to reject its plans for seven turbines near Llandegley Rocks on land off the A44.

A public inquiry is due to open on Tuesday March, 13 at The Pavilion, Spa Road, Llandrindod Wells and members of the public are welcome to attend.

The Open Spaces Society, which has previously opposed the plans, has again called for the appeal to be turned down.

It said it is supporting the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales and “many other organisations and individuals” who oppose the scheme. The society, in written evidence to the inquiry, argues that the turbines would “desecrate the beautiful countryside” around Llandegley, five miles east of Llandrindod Wells.

The council’s planning committee, which was told it could approve the application despite its “significant adverse landscape and visual impacts” refused to grant the scheme planning permission in April.

Hendy Wind Farm Limited submitted its appeal in August last year arguing the renewable energy benefits of the scheme should outweigh the planning committee’s concerns over its visual impacts.

The Open Spaces Society has objected as it says turbines would destroy the natural beauty and people’s quiet enjoyment of the “splendid landscape, marring the views of and from the prominent Llandegley Rocks” and interfere with public paths and access land including the registered common.

The society also claims that if the turbines are built they may be in breach of inclosure awards and therefore unlawful.

Its general secretary Kate Ashbrook said: “There are a number of technical reasons why the turbines cannot be sited here, in addition to the fact that they will destroy a beautiful area.

“From the slopes and summit of Llandegley Rocks the view is breathtaking, with a glorious sweep which takes in the hills and mountains of Wales, including the Brecon Beacons to the south. This view would be utterly destroyed by the siting of wind turbines here, and a massive area of great natural beauty and cultural significance would be irreparably damaged.

“One can wander freely over Llandegley Rocks, and there are also several public paths. People walk and ride here because of the magnificent landscape and fine views. The wind turbines would deter them from doing so and would result in loss of the tourist income which is a pillar of the local economy.

“We have urged the inspector to reject the appeal and ensure this beautiful, much-loved landscape can remain unspoilt.”


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2018/03/08/inquiry-which-will-decide-fate-of-windfarm-planned-for-radnorshire-beauty-spot-to-open/