Turbine plans generate debate (From Western Telegraph)

Turbine plans generate debate

1:00pm Saturday 14th April 2012 in News

A 65 METRE-HIGH wind turbine proposed for a farm in Amroth would be the largest in any national park in the UK if it is approved.

The size of the planned turbine at Trelessy Farm, Amroth, is one-third taller again than Nelson’s Column.

And one objector is suggesting that the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority could defer its decision on this application until Pembrokeshire County Council has completed its assessment of the cumulative impact of four proposals in another part of south east Pembrokeshire.

“Should the planning application for this turbine in the sensitive and spectacular coastal park be delayed until the results of this survey are known?” asked Theri Bailey, who believes that the plan could set a precedent for further large wind turbine developments within the National Park.

“Wales certainly needs to promote renewable energy, and I also believe that wind energy has an appropriate part to play, but developments must be sensitive to the local environment and scenery.

“Of the 7.2million visitors who come to the Park, I doubt many come to see wind turbines.”

As the Western Telegraph has reported, four planning applications for turbines outside the National Park area have recently been made to Pembrokeshire County Council. They include two 86.5 metre turbines near Ludchurch – which would be the highest in the county – being applied for by Princes Gate Spring Water to provide sustainable power for its new, state-of-the-art bottle-blowing plant.

Following a number of protests from individuals and groups, including the newly-formed Save Our Skyline (SOS) and the Pembrokeshire branch of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales, the county council will now consider the results of the ‘cumulative impact’ study of several turbines within a small geographical area before the four plans go before committee