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Powys County Council’s Planning Committee has rejected plans for seven wind-turbines at Llandegley, five miles east of Llandrindod Wells, Powys. The society was among numerous objectors to the proposal.
Geoff Sinclair of Environmental Information Services, spoke on behalf of 55 local objectors at the planning meeting on Thursday (27 April).
The councillors, with only one dissentient, rejected the application because it would be unacceptable in landscape and visual terms, would have a significant effect on users of nearby public paths, and would have an unacceptable adverse impact on the setting of scheduled ancient monuments in and around the prominent Llandegley Rocks.
Llandegley Rocks: this view would have been obliterated by the proposed seven 110-metre-high wind turbines. Photo: Diana Hulton
The society had also pointed out that the development could be in breach of an inclosure award. At least four of the seven turbines, together with the associated development, were proposed to be sited on an area inclosed by orders made under the Commons Act 1876, for Llandegley Rhos and Hendy Bank. The order gives the public a right of access here and decrees that no injury shall be done to the lands.
Furthermore, the works required an exchange of common land when there was no suitable alternative available.
Says Kate Ashbrook, general secretary of the Open Spaces Society: ‘This was a devastating proposal and we are highly relieved that it has been rejected.
‘The vast turbines would have dominated this unique landscape, destroying the view of and from the magnificent Llandegley Rocks. It would have ruined the enjoyment of those using the public paths in the area, and would have caused irrevocable damage to precious common land.
‘Moreover, we questioned whether it was legal given that some of the land is protected by an inclosure award.
‘We congratulate the many campaigners who have fought this proposal for the last three years. We trust the developers, Hendy Wind Farm Ltd, will see sense and abandon any thought of an appeal.’