(Pictures accompanying this post are of existing turbines west of Rhuthun. Hover over an image for more details)
I have never been taken with the idea of wind farms over Rhuthun. While they won’t affect the town directly, there may be indirect consequences. One is the propensity to increase flooding following the clear felling of Coedwig Clocaenog Forest—as demonstrated by the strength of feeling shown by our county councillors at planning committee earlier this year.
The other is the strong possibility that tourists may diminish, not travelling through or stopping in Rhuthun because Mynydd Hiraethog’s natural beauty is despoiled.
Npower Renewables is seeking permission for 85MW of a total agreed 140MW of output as part of the Clwyd Power Station. Its online newsletter lists the key features that are important (to Npower) for a successful wind power station. Here they are.
a) Strong and persistent winds increasing the energy produced by the turbines
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I doubt anyone would argue with the windy conditions atop Hiraethog!
b) A large land area allowing a wind farm design with good separation distances from nearby properties
Here we start to get into difficulties. One resident who will be affected by the Derwydd Bach (different) development commented that houses will be worthless and constant noise intrusive to the point it causes health issues for his children.
c) Access to the existing road network
The roads into Hiraethog and Coedwig Clocaenog Forest are hardly world class. Perhaps wind farm money can improve them.
d) It is outside of landscape and ecological designations
Is this bending the truth? Hiraethog may not be an area of outstanding natural beauty, as are the Clwydians, but you’ll be able to see wind farms from the Clwydian Hills and from other locations, inculding from within Hiraethog. We’ve commented before that the eye is drawn to these monsters.
Hiraethog itself is an important upland area rich and abundant in wildlife. The natural landscape has evaded much of the development & destruction found in more hospitable climes. In fact, it’s a heritage landscape. The afforestation in recent years adds to rather than detracts from the area's beauty and its ability to capture carbon dioxide.
e) Clocaenog Forest lies within one of the SSAs (Area A) identified by WAG in TAN8 as being suitable for *large-scale* wind farms
Locals may disagree. Is this the real slap in the face for those living with turbines? WAG officials may have designated most of Hiraethog as suitable under TAN8 but did anyone ever hear of TAN8 till it was too late? And what difference will plastering Hiraethog with wind farms actually make? We’ve argued in the past that this is perhaps questionable (though if someone can prove us wrong, get in touch).
c Meanwhile, Denbighshire council granted permission on 29 October for a 10-turbine wind farm at Derwydd Bach, Melin y Wig. It seems councillors had to make a difficult decision balancing TAN8 planning guidance and local opposition. One community council said that the proposal was “likely to result in significant harm to the character and quality of the attractive rural landscape”, citing also noise levels and the impact on wildlife.
I have never been taken with the idea of wind farms over Rhuthun. While they won’t affect the town directly, there may be indirect consequences. One is the propensity to increase flooding following the clear felling of Coedwig Clocaenog Forest—as demonstrated by the strength of feeling shown by our county councillors at planning committee earlier this year.The other is the strong possibility that tourists may diminish, not travelling through or stopping in Rhuthun because Mynydd Hiraethog’s natural beauty is despoiled.
Npower Renewables is seeking permission for 85MW of a total agreed 140MW of output as part of the Clwyd Power Station. Its online newsletter lists the key features that are important (to Npower) for a successful wind power station. Here they are.
a) Strong and persistent winds increasing the energy produced by the turbines
.jpg)
I doubt anyone would argue with the windy conditions atop Hiraethog!b) A large land area allowing a wind farm design with good separation distances from nearby properties
Here we start to get into difficulties. One resident who will be affected by the Derwydd Bach (different) development commented that houses will be worthless and constant noise intrusive to the point it causes health issues for his children.
c) Access to the existing road network
The roads into Hiraethog and Coedwig Clocaenog Forest are hardly world class. Perhaps wind farm money can improve them.
d) It is outside of landscape and ecological designations
Is this bending the truth? Hiraethog may not be an area of outstanding natural beauty, as are the Clwydians, but you’ll be able to see wind farms from the Clwydian Hills and from other locations, inculding from within Hiraethog. We’ve commented before that the eye is drawn to these monsters. Hiraethog itself is an important upland area rich and abundant in wildlife. The natural landscape has evaded much of the development & destruction found in more hospitable climes. In fact, it’s a heritage landscape. The afforestation in recent years adds to rather than detracts from the area's beauty and its ability to capture carbon dioxide.
e) Clocaenog Forest lies within one of the SSAs (Area A) identified by WAG in TAN8 as being suitable for *large-scale* wind farms
Locals may disagree. Is this the real slap in the face for those living with turbines? WAG officials may have designated most of Hiraethog as suitable under TAN8 but did anyone ever hear of TAN8 till it was too late? And what difference will plastering Hiraethog with wind farms actually make? We’ve argued in the past that this is perhaps questionable (though if someone can prove us wrong, get in touch).
c Meanwhile, Denbighshire council granted permission on 29 October for a 10-turbine wind farm at Derwydd Bach, Melin y Wig. It seems councillors had to make a difficult decision balancing TAN8 planning guidance and local opposition. One community council said that the proposal was “likely to result in significant harm to the character and quality of the attractive rural landscape”, citing also noise levels and the impact on wildlife.
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Wind farms