Energy minister Andrea Leadsom announced five planning applications for wind farms in Powys have been rejected. The decisions come from a combined inquiry which was was called for by former energy secretary Edward Davey as Powys County Council had refused planning permission on the wind farms.
Leadsom did confirm the approval of an application by Celtpower Limited, in which ScottishPower has 50% interest, to revamp an existing wind farm at Llandinam. But an additional proposal to install a 132 kilovolt overhead electric line connection from the wind farm to Welshpool substation in Powys was refused.
The other four applications that were refused include a:
David Clubb, from RenewableUK Cymru, views these decisions as a signal of the loss of investment into mid-Wales which may result in the people of Wales becoming "poorer". He says "Given the blows that the UK Government are raining down onto the renewable energy sector on both consents and subsidies, ministers will be heading to the Paris climate discussions with their credibility in tatters."
A spokesperson for the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) said "Careful consideration has been given to each application, and the planning and energy issues involved."
Tom Cosgrove, from Cornerstone Barristers, echoed this as he said "These decisions support the position taken by Powys County Council. The inquiry required months of preparation and extensive detailed consideration of evidence."
or the Department of Energy and Climate Change said: “Careful consideration has been given to each application, and the planning and energy issues involved.”
Tom Cosgrove and Clare Parry from Cornerstone Barristers, together with Simon Bird, were instructed by Geldards LLP on behalf of Powys County Council to oppose the wind farms.
Cosgrove said: “These decisions support the position taken by Powys County Council at the inquiry and highlight the importance of producing careful and thorough expert evidence. The inquiry required months of preparation and extensive, detailed consideration of evidence at the inquiry. It was a real team effort between the lawyers, consultants and officers.”
For David Clubb, from RenewableUK Cymru, though, the decisions signals the loss of investment into mid-Wales. He said the people of Wales will be "poorer" as a result.
“Given the blows that the UK Government are raining down onto the renewable energy sector on both consents and subsidies, ministers will be heading to the Paris climate discussions with their credibility in tatters.”
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