TV botanist in democracy row despite turbine vote delight
BOTANIST David Bellamy has questioned democracy in Wales following a key wind farm debate — but hailed the result of the debate as "great news for democracy".
Dr Bellamy wanted to know why Swansea councillor Ioan Richard could not speak at last Thursday's planning meeting, where members voted overwhelmingly to reject the application.
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David Bellamy at Mynydd y Gwair Common.
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Councillor Richard represents the Mawr ward, where developer RWE npower renewables wants to install 19 turbines.
In an email to the Post, Dr Bellamy, who has spoken out against wind farms in the past, said: "I write in haste to ask a question that appears to question the process of democracy in Wales.
"Why was Councillor Ioan Richard denied his role in representing the people of Mawr ward over the Mynydd y Gwair planning (meeting)?"
Councillor Richard accepted he could not take part in the debate because he'd already made up his mind about the application.
This is known as predetermination, defined by the council's standards committee as "the appearance given by a decision maker that he or she has prejudged an issue by virtue of their words, actions or associations".
Councillor Richard added he didn't want to risk landing the authority in hot water by appearing last Thursday, and said he had done a lot behind the scenes as an objector.
But Dr Bellamy also gave democracy in Wales the thumbs-up in a message to fellow opponents of the Mynydd y Gwair scheme. "Great news for democracy in Neil Kinnock's beloved valleys and the sacred hills Mynydd y Gwair that are threatened by a swarm of wind turbines," he wrote.
"First Swansea planning (officers) recommended their councillors object to the planning application. Good news indeed, rapidly followed by the councillors who voted by a massive majority to object to the planning application."
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Another councillor absent from the chamber last Thursday was Rob Speht, who works in the wind energy industry. He said afterwards he had felt unfairly pressured to declare a prejudicial interest, which precluded him from speaking and voting.
The application will now be "determined" by an Assembly-appointed inspector following an inquiry. Developer RWE had appealed prior to last Thursday's planning meeting because the authority had taken took so long to determine the application.
RWE says its scheme will generate electricity for 28,100 average households, and help towards the UK's ever increasing renewable energy targets.
richard.youle@swwmedia.co.uk
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17 Comments
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by Clare, Mawr
Sunday, February 07 2010, 7:57PM
“Well, an OBE and a long and distinguished career in relevant scientific areas sound like good reasons to me for David Bellamy to be taken seriously.”
by Jonathan, United Kingdom
Friday, February 05 2010, 6:22PM
“How can anyone take David Bellamy seriously anymore ? Wind power in Wales ??? Bring it on ! IE I GWYNT !!”
by Clare, Mawr
Thursday, February 04 2010, 8:30PM
“Did Chris Powell sit in the public gallery and observe the meeting at which Swansea councillors debated and voted on planning application 2008/1781?
Has he read the main report, and the supplementary report, relevant to the planning application, written by those qualified and employed to assess planning applications?
If not, I'd question whether he is sufficiently well informed to argue against the relevance of local democracy in planning decisions!
Also, does he know (or would he care) that the turbines proposed in 2008/1781 would dwarf those at Fynnon Oer?
I welcome the vote by Swansea councillors to object to the planning application, and I trust the Planning Inspector at the public inquiry will take account of the concerns of those who represent the majority of people in this area, and will make sure those concerns are properly addressed.
Whilst I cannot imagine what mitigation measures would be adequate to offset the damage that this proposed development would cause were it to be given the (so called) green light, I do not assume my knowledge is complete. I'll continue to follow the proceedings, and listen to experts. So far, they seem to be of the opinion that the scheme is a thoroughly bad one, expensive, fraught with problems, that would have a long term, negative impact.
I think Swansea Council were right to object to the plans.”
by Philip, ammanford
Tuesday, February 02 2010, 12:42AM
“Stick all the turbines in the Bristol Channel.”
by evans, ammanford
Tuesday, February 02 2010, 12:32AM
“Mynydd y gwair is in the county of swansea .It is not in swansea i was up there on sunday.I WAS NOT IN SWANSEA.”