Radnorshire residents have won their seven-year long fight to stop wind turbines being built on a hill near their homes, in the first determination of a windfarm application by Powys County Council.
Planners unanimously rejected the plan for three turbines at Pentre Tump, Llanfihangel Nant Melan near New Radnor, which had prompted about 979 letters of objection, three petitions and 58 letters of support.
More than 50 people packed out the Chamber at County Hall in Llandrindod Wells on Tuesday to find out if the turbines would get the go-ahead.
Many local residents were hugely relieved at the outcome. Andy and Janie Foster on behalf of local residents and Save Our Scenery Radnorshire, said: “It is a huge relief that after seven and a half years of uncertainty, this matter has been settled. We thank the councillors for their decision. We also thank the planners, other interested parties and all concerned in making sure all the facts were brought out and the local community was protected from an aggressive developer who was completely unsympathetic to their needs and well-being.”
Also in attendance was the landowner, Glyn Bowen, and representatives of the applicant, Cornwall Light and Power Ltd, who were disappointed with the decision and still believe Pentre Tump is the best site for wind turbines in Powys.
Development manager for Cornwall Light and Power, Bob Morgan, said: “We are very disappointed with the decision, given the hard work that we have put in over the last seven years.
“We still believe this site is the best site in Powys for a small windfarm development and we are fully committed to it. But at this stage we can’t say if we will appeal against the decision until we see the official decision notice which is unlikely to be issued for seven days.
“It will be considered and we will consider the way forward.”
Before considering the application, members of the planning committee visited the site and returned to hear planning officer Gwilym Davies saying that the planning application was for three 1.3 MW turbines, with a maximum height of 91 metres and a blade length of upto 60 metres.
The proposal was to place the turbines on what is currently pasture land on Pentre Tump, which is 4km south west of New Radnor at Llanfihangel Nant Melan.
In addition, one temporary anemometer mast would have been erected for up to 18 months, together with site access tracks, a construction compound and a control building.
Access to the site would have been gained via the U1476 which joins the A481 near the Fforest Inn and the A44.
Powys County Councillor for the area, Councillor Michael Jones, said it was the first time he had spoken about the issue in public.
He said local people were concerned about the possibility and potential of noise caused by the turbines and shadow flicker. He was also concerned about the grid connection as he understood it would be connected to the network near Kington which would mean miles of power lines.
Councillor Nigel Dodman of New Radnor Community Council said the issue had been a divisive and damaging one for the communities for seven years.
Andy Foster of Foice Farm Cattery and Kennels, spoke on behalf of residents of Foice Farm Lane and Save Our Scenery Radnorshire. He said the turbines would dominate the skyline, spoil the special landscape and effect the quality of life and well-being of those living in the area.
Mr Morgan of applicants Cornwall Light and Power Ltd told members there was a national and Welsh imperative to look for renewable energy opportunities. And he said Wales was currently 82 per cent behind its target for 2010.
He said Pentre Tump would be a chance for Powys to start working towards the renewable energy targets as the windfarm would generate enough energy to power the equivalent of about 2,000 homes.
“The site at Pentre Tump has an excellent wind resource which is why we have continued with it for seven years,” said Mr Morgan.
He said the company had agreed to pay £19,500 each year for the 25 year life span of the project and there was the potential that it would be match-funded by the Community Foundation of Wales and he said they would also be paying business rates equivalent to £21,000 a year to help public services.
“This is one of the best, if not the best site in Powys, for a small windfarm development,” he added.
Planning officer Mr Davies said there were currently 13 windfarm applications for Powys in the system and Powys’ specialist services manager Steve Packer said Wales would not meet its targets for this year anyway because of grid connection issues.
The Countryside Council for Wales and Powys’ ecologist did not object to the application and Environmental Health Services considered that noise levels could be managed to an acceptable level.
Councillor Colonel Tim Van Rees said the policy of the Welsh Assembly Government was that the shortfall in the renewable energy target should be dealt with by the provision of fewer and larger windfarms.
He had sympathy for the energy targets but this application failed at the hurdle in that it did not go along with the Assembly’s policy. He recommended refusal.
Councillor Tony Thomas seconded the motion and all ten members present voted to refuse perm
