Wind turbine plan couple act to reassure neighbours

A FIVE Roads couple have reassured people that plans to build a wind turbine will benefit the village — amid growing concerns from residents.

Around 100 people met at the village hall last week to hit out at Judith and Seymour Merritt's plans to build a single 50kw wind turbine at Ty Mawr Farm — while Llanelli Rural Council also objected on Monday.

But Mrs Merritt, who has lived in the area for 30 years, insisted the plans were for a small scale turbine, which would be "barely visible" — adding that it would bring money to the area.

The 56-year-old said: "We really believe that renewable energy in the area is not being fully taken advantage of.

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Profits

"By having a personal turbine we think we can keep the money in the community, rather than large companies coming in, taking control and taking all the profits elsewhere."

Councillor Jim Jones, who was asked to chair the community meeting alongside Carol Rees, said every resident in attendance was against the plans.

"I was shocked by the level of concern, but after the meeting and being told where the people lived in proximity to the wind turbine, I could see their point," the county councillor said.

"The residents in Five Roads, Cynheidre and Horeb were concerned that they would be looking at it all day and every day.

"They brought up every concern from health issues and noise to the environment."

Mr Jones said the potential structure threatened to spoil a "beauty spot" in Five Roads — in particular Mynydd Sylen — where he said people visited from far and wide for views of the seven counties.

"People don't want anything to spoil it," he said.

"And as county councillor my job is to support the majority of the people here and object to the plans."

Mrs Merritt said she could understand residents' views, but insisted she would not do anything to harm the community she called home.

"I have lived here for 30 years and my son was brought up here," she said.

"I try to buy everything locally too.

"The community has not been really aware of what the wind turbine is going to look like, and probably think it will be a massive one, and understandably they will have concerns.

"But the chances are that nobody will see it because it is such a small-scale thing.

"We have taken a chance on this to do it ourselves for the benefit of the community."