Two applications for onshore wind farms in Powys in mid-Wales are to go to a public inquiry after the local county council objected.
The potential benefits and impacts of Vattenfall’s planned 130-250 MW Llanbadarn Fynydd scheme and RWE npower renewable 59.5 MW Carnedd Wen project will now be examined in more detail.
“The County Council in Powys has maintained its objection to these two proposals for wind farms in mid-Wales,” commented Energy Minister Charles Hendry, “[so now] all the evidence will be independently examined before Ministers make a final decision.”
The two projects will be considered jointly, starting with a pre-inquiry meeting next spring before a full inquiry later in the year.
Powys County Council is also due to respond to the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) on a further four onshore wind farms, which could be added to the inquiry if objections are raised.
The Welsh Government have ruled that ‘major’ wind farms, those over 25 MW, should be located in strategic search areas (SSAs). Of six applications for wind farms over 50 MW being considered by DECC, three are in SSA B and three is SSA C in Powys.
A public inquiry by the government is trigged by local planning authority objections under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989.
For further information:
www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/what%20we%20do/uk%20energy%20supply/development%20consents%20and%20planning%20reform/guidance/1_20100226102253_e_@@_section36guidance.pdf
www.powys.gov.uk/
www.wales.gov.uk
Related stories:
UK Energy Secretary says future is “inconceivable” without wind (15-June)
UK’s National Trust launches wind farm legal challenge (14-May)
UK gives go ahead for Vattenfall’s 299 MW Welsh wind farm (8-May)
Nine out of ten want to see Britain rely more heavily on renewables (23-Apr)
Article source: http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/i/5222/
