Public enquiry initiated against proposed onshore wind farms in Wales

The UK Department of energy and climate change will conduct a public enquiry into the applications for consent to build five new onshore wind farms in Powys, Mid-Wales.

The enquiry has been initiated following complaints by the Powys County Council in September 2012 against to CeltPower 125MW Llandinam scheme, Fferm Wynt Llaithddu Cyf’s 66.7MW Llaithddu scheme and RES UK & Ireland’s 100MW Llanbrynmair scheme.

Powys County Council had earlier raised objections against Vattenfall’s 59.MW Llanbadarn Fynydd scheme and RWE npower renewables’ 130-250MW Carnedd Wen scheme.

All of the above farms will now face a joint public inquiry.

Commenting on the developments Department of Energy and Climate Change spokesperson remarked that process of planning for the wind warms had a mechanism that allows objections for wind farms to be raised.

"Due to the County Council’s objections to these five wind farm proposals for Mid-Wales, the Government has decided that evidence on the benefits and impacts of these proposals is best considered at a joint public inquiry for all five applications.

"This will provide an opportunity for all of the evidence to be independently examined by an inspector from the Welsh Planning Inspectorate before a final decision is taken."