Llanfair town council supports giant windfarm plan

Llanfair Caereinion Town Council have given conditional support to controversial plans for a huge windfarm, but says they will withdraw it if traffic plans that divert massive loads through the town centre are kept in place as part of the proposal.

The council was asked to consider the wind farm proposal at Esgair Cwmowen, near Carno, comprising 18 wind turbines (installed capacity of up to 47.5 MW), anemometer mast, substation and control building, site entrance, new and improved access tracks and all associated building and engineering operations and landscaping together with highway improvements.

Only last week MP, Craig Williams, and MS, Russell George, raised concerns about the scale of the development that could lead to giant pylons being erected through the countryside to connect the windfarm to the national grid in Shropshire.

But Llanfair councillors resolved to support the application but only if certain conditions are met.
“The Council raised concerns over the route for abnormal loads travelling up country lanes from Four Crosses, Llanerfyl to Cefn Coch and the potential routing of construction lorries through Llanfair Caereinion town centre,” said a council spokesperson.

“The council questioned why the existing route at Cwm Golau for the Tirgwynt wind farm is not re-opened, built to adoptable standard and used as the main route through to the wind farms and quarry. This would remove most of the lorry traffic from Llanfair Caereinion town centre.

“If such a proposal is rejected by the County Council, then the council would not support the Wind Farm development proposed. The Council remains opposed to additional pylons through the region.”

The issue of pylons blighting the countryside was central to the area’s fight against previous giant windfarm plans a decade ago.

But politicians and councillors are warning local residents that the issue is set for round two with these new plans going through the planning process.