Planning moratorium and review motion today

Powys county councillors will today become focus of attention in the windfarm and energy debate as the council holds its first-ever planning meeting outsdie County Hall to consider a motion calling on the Welsh Government to introduce a moratorium on all windfarm applications and an immedaite review of the Tan8 planning policy.

The meeting, which takes place at 2pm in Welshpool Livestock market, is expected to draw over 1,000 protestors, residents and business representatives who will be able to watch the debate on large screens outsdie the livestock offices where the meeting takes place. Councillors will face public scrutiny over their comments and final voting actions in what is seen as one of the most publicly watched meetings of the council.

Organisers and protest groups have urged people to car share to the meeting as parking will be restricted.

Today's meeting will ask councillors to vote on the motion for a moratorium on windfarm applications and the review of Tan8 which sets out where windframs should be sited in Wales. It follows plans to build pylons, power lines and a 20 acre sub power station in either Cefn Coch, near Llanfair Caereinion, or Abermule, near Newtown.

Protestors have already demonstrated outside the National Assembly in Cardiff, and the First Minister has been put under pressure to take the planning issue up with the UK government which has control over all energy planning matters in Wales.