Peter Black, Liberal Assembly Member
for South Wales West says:
Although I support alternative energy such as wind farms it is important
that they are situated in the right place and that in positioning
them consideration is given to the sensitivity of the location and
the impact on the surrounding communities. It is my view that the
proposed siting of the wind farm is inappropriate and that if one
is to be situated in Swansea Bay that it should be closer to Port
Talbot. This would ensure that the impact on Porthcawl and its tourism
industry would be minimised.
I was saddened and annoyed therefore
on meeting with United Utilities to find that despite them launching
a consultation process they have already locked themselves into the
siting of the wind farm by signing a lease with the Crown Estates.
In my view this effectively nullifies the consultation, as the key
issue of where the wind farm is to be sited has become non-negotiable.
I made my views on this known to United Utilities and told them that
I thought that it seems to me that this process is now nothing more
than a public relations exercise.
It seems to me that given the fait
accompli that has been presented to us on siting the wind farm the
best course of action now is to concentrate on the planning application.
This has not yet been received but clearly intensive lobbying of the
Environment Minister, Sue Essex, should be the thrust of future action.
