Brechfa Forest Wind Farm approved: development by RWE Npower Renewables in Carmarthenshire
ANTI-wind farm campaigners have reacted with dismay that plans for 28 wind turbines in Carmarthenshire have been granted.
The Secretary of State for Climate Change, Gregory Barker MP, gave his consent to the application this afternoon.
-
Consent has now been given for wind turbines in the Brechfa Forest
Campaigners claim the decision is flawed and said it will damage the countryside.
The decision means energy company RWE Npower Renewables can now build the wind farm, called Brechfa Forest West.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013
How the 56 to 84 megawatt development will be connected to the National Grid has yet to be sorted out.
The site is on Forestry Commission land behind an existing 10-turbine wind farm at Alltwalis, to the north east of Carmarthen.
A statement issued today by the Department of Energy and Climate Change said: “The Secretary of State has granted development consent for this application.”
It added: “While development of the Brechfa Forest West wind farm would bring adverse visual and landscape impacts, these are not so significant as to outweigh the desirability and pressing need for this type of infrastructure.”
Anti-wind farm campaigner Caroline Evans, coordinator of Brechfa Forest Energy Action Group, said: “This is a very flawed judgement by the Secretary of State.
“He has chosen to ignore sound evidence of the damage this giant development will inflict on the mountain and the community.
“This is a major disappointment for the many who worked tirelessly, spending time and money they could ill afford to fight to protect the country they love.”
RWE Npower Renewables’ project developer, Bethan Edwards said: “The construction of the Brechfa Forest West Wind Farm will provide a valuable boost to the local economy, injecting up to £19 million into the economies of South and West Wales, and supporting up to 224 jobs in the region during each year of construction alone.
“These important economic benefits continue through to the operation of the wind farm.
“Local community benefits will amount to around £560,000 per year over the life of the wind farm, depending upon the final installed capacity.”
She said that next year, Western Power Distribution will be required to submit a separate application to the Planning Inspectorate for a line, on wooden poles, to connect to the grid.
She added: “In the meantime, we look forward to spending time with communities and businesses in and around the wind farm, to realise the benefits for them of constructing and operating Brechfa Forest West.”
4 Comments
by Neathboy234
Wednesday, March 13 2013, 10:01AM
“Beakyrobin it is good news indeed. Interesting that we haven't heard from the Anti wind power/WG brigade. Obviously they are more than happy for Westminster to pass every wind project here in Wales. Off another website i was reading that in future we will not be seeing many projects here in wales under 50 MW, thus ensuring there will be no objections. Perhaps the Anti wind power mob will now be calling for greater devolution lol lol lol”
by Beakyrobin
Wednesday, March 13 2013, 9:50AM
“Some good news at last, a victory for common sense. Let's have a load more...”
by Neathboy234
Tuesday, March 12 2013, 4:33PM
“I wonder how people feel about this decision being made by Westminster as a result of it being over 50 megawatts. Since most of the people against wind power on here are also against devolution i can only imagine that they are quite happy. As for all the NIMBY's that we have here in Wales i would suggest that anyone wishing to build a wind farm do so with a capacity over 50 megawatts.
Please feel free to let us know how you feel, especially those who want to abolish the assemb”
by Neathboy234
Tuesday, March 12 2013, 3:07PM
“Great news, well done Mr Davey. But sadly we are going to need a lot more of these wind turbines .”