Tomorrow may see the setting of an important precedent, as Denbighshire planners have before them an application from Tegni Cymru Cyf for the first Clocaenog wind farm, at Derwydd Bach.
Rush down to Corbett’s on Castle Street and, if they’ve opened a book on this, bet that planning permission will be granted (unless a decision is deferred). This is because planning officers are recommending that councillors give approval. Though we’re guessing, this is because a refusal will only lead to an expensive government-appointed planning inspector who will cite TAN8 guidance and give the go-ahead in any case.
This is what happened near Gwyddelwern. Not that anyone locally had ever heard of TAN8 before turbines became an issue. And not that anyone had an opportunity to comment on this important WAG policy document during its formation, a policy that designates areas that in the Assembly’s opinion are “suitable” for wind farms.
If councillors green light the application for 10 turbines at up to 120.5m high, the flood gates are well and truly opened for the coming of the Clwyd Power Station. This is spite of what opponents feel is no clear environmental case for their development and certainly no will locally for the industrialisation of what is open and exposed high ground land less than one mile above the village of Melin-y-Wig, in the valley below.
If we think that this is a purely local issue of noise, vibration and loss of amenity for Melin-y-Wig, the environmental impact assessment states, “Significant visual effects are likely to be experienced by visual receptors to the south east and south west of the site”. Eh? Translated, this means that people will have a clear view. Further, “Views from the A494 will be possible as the road descends the slopes of the Clwydian Range above Ruthin”.
So, those approaching Rhuhun/Ruthin from the east will get a view, too. This is a special, significant and normally breathtaking panorama, an introduction to Rhuthun, one that lingers in the memory of our visitors for a long time, one that brings repeated visits. The EIA notes that the affect on the Clwydian Range AONB and Eryry/Snowdonia are “minor”, not causing “unacceptable harm to designated landscapes”. That’s a matter of subjective opinion, of course.
Rush down to Corbett’s on Castle Street and, if they’ve opened a book on this, bet that planning permission will be granted (unless a decision is deferred). This is because planning officers are recommending that councillors give approval. Though we’re guessing, this is because a refusal will only lead to an expensive government-appointed planning inspector who will cite TAN8 guidance and give the go-ahead in any case.
This is what happened near Gwyddelwern. Not that anyone locally had ever heard of TAN8 before turbines became an issue. And not that anyone had an opportunity to comment on this important WAG policy document during its formation, a policy that designates areas that in the Assembly’s opinion are “suitable” for wind farms.
If councillors green light the application for 10 turbines at up to 120.5m high, the flood gates are well and truly opened for the coming of the Clwyd Power Station. This is spite of what opponents feel is no clear environmental case for their development and certainly no will locally for the industrialisation of what is open and exposed high ground land less than one mile above the village of Melin-y-Wig, in the valley below.
If we think that this is a purely local issue of noise, vibration and loss of amenity for Melin-y-Wig, the environmental impact assessment states, “Significant visual effects are likely to be experienced by visual receptors to the south east and south west of the site”. Eh? Translated, this means that people will have a clear view. Further, “Views from the A494 will be possible as the road descends the slopes of the Clwydian Range above Ruthin”.
So, those approaching Rhuhun/Ruthin from the east will get a view, too. This is a special, significant and normally breathtaking panorama, an introduction to Rhuthun, one that lingers in the memory of our visitors for a long time, one that brings repeated visits. The EIA notes that the affect on the Clwydian Range AONB and Eryry/Snowdonia are “minor”, not causing “unacceptable harm to designated landscapes”. That’s a matter of subjective opinion, of course.
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Wind farms