Huge Princes Gate wind turbines given go ahead

12:21pm Wednesday 4th July 2012 in County News

Controversial proposals for two 86.5 metre wind turbines near Ludchurch were approved by county council planners yesterday (Tuesday), amid jeers from the public gallery.

The plans submitted by Princes Gate Spring Water Company had received opposition from campaigners such as the Campaign for the Protection for Rural Wales, while Pembrokeshire County Council had received 279 letters of support for the application and 190 against.

Speaking on behalf of the applicants, Endaf Williams told the planning committee that the turbines would help with the company's increased energy demand due to the installation of a new bottling plant and approving the plans would help to "safeguard existing and future jobs."

Speaking as on objector Conrad Rees suggested the committee should defer the application and conduct a site visit and asked if it was fair that the company could "make profit at the expense of the landscape."

Mr Rees said the officer's report was "not fit for purpose" and highlighted health and safety concerns regarding a nearby equestrian business, adding that horses react unpredictably to turbines.

County Councillor Tony Brinsden, who represents nearby Amroth, said he had received many objections from his constituents and said he was "totally mystified" that the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority had not objected.

Cllr David Pugh said the council was in danger of "putting the lives of children and riders at risk", if the plans were approved and said the visual impact would be "huge."

Cllr Brian Hall said he refuted claims that the officer's report was biased in any way and said the if the plans were refused, the council could face an appeal, which could include financial penalties.

The Dyfed Archaeological Trust had objected to the plans but said if the committee was minded to pass it, that a condition be imposed that archaeological interests be protected during any works to install the turbines.

Cllr Pugh proposed a site visit, but was voted down by seven votes to five. The application was approved after being moved by Cllr Hall and seconded by Cllr Peter Morgan and carried by eight votes to five with one abstention.

Comments(5)

Eckysense says...
9:10pm Wed 4 Jul 12

Where did this one come from? I read on here recently that the land owner had withdrawn the application. Cannot understand why anyone would want to approve planning for these inefficient "blotts on the landscape". Would be interesting to know where 279 letters of support came from as obviously not from local population. Yet another example of councillors voting against the wishes of Pembrokeshire residents. I cannot see the tourists being too delighted or local residents with the consequential devaluation of their homes. Shame on the planning committee.

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Suebound says...
2:52pm Thu 5 Jul 12

I don't know why anyone is surprised that PCC passed these. Princes Gate Water ran a very aggressive marketing campaign to local businesses and staff; when you look at the people who supported the majority they were a). Employees b).suppliers.  This speaks for itself....the objectors were ALL residents as they are the ones whose quality of life will be damaged by these monster turbines

I met with the planning officers and am not suprised as they have put in writing to me that they are not following any minimum distance guidelines from residents properties for these turbines. Look at the residents near Crunwere where the turbine is 200 metres away from houses. 

Now 7 families who will be greatly affected by constant unbearable noise and light flicker from the Princes Gate water turbines. Whilst the Jones family will make millions, locals will lose  approximately 30% off the value of their properties and some will be rendered unsaleable. How is that supporting community?

The Jones family will all be protected from this noise as they made sure the turbines are as far away from their families as possible.   

Sent from my iPad

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Suebound says...
3:02pm Thu 5 Jul 12

I make a plea to the Jones please dig deep in your pockets to help those who are going to be financially and mentally affected by your actions. There are plenty of rich locals who could buy a turbine thankfully they have a conscience!

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daryl1957 says...
4:17pm Thu 5 Jul 12

More corrupt deals between local politicians and business...grubby brown envelopes flying around...corporate hospitality etc...the average wind turbine is less efficient than the average politician....and that's a very low number..s*d the locals..letsmake money at any cost!

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Tttoommy says...
5:45pm Fri 6 Jul 12

what a fiddle - Green power will only operate when its slightly windy - no wind or a gale and they don't work - on top of that 200% subsidy, AND as its an unreliable source we have to have proper power stations on stand by which If they were allowed to stay on all the time rather than power up and power down would cause less CO2-It's really a MAD MAD MAD World where good is bad and wrong is right

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