Campaigners opposing multi-billion pound wind energy plans for Montgomeryshire were celebrating last night after what could be their biggest breakthrough to date.
The National Assembly for Wales’ (right) Environment and Sustainability Committee has invited local councils as well as concerned parties and individuals to respond to its inquiry by September 23, with one of the key issues to be considered ‘whether or not a formal review of Technical Advice Note 8 is now required’.
Tan 8 has become the crucial document in the fight against Energy Giants’ plans to build up to 800 more wind turbines along with pylons, cabling and a 20-acre substation on Montgomeryshire’s hills. The document gave a virtual green light for the developments much to the anger of residents.
Local politicians, civic leaders and campaigners have been calling for a review and this is the clearest indication yet that it could well happen.
The Welsh Government inquiry will investigate ‘the relationship between the UK Government’s Energy National Policy Statements and Welsh national and local planning policies (including Planning Policy Wales, TAN 8 and Local Development Plans) and whether or not these policies can achieve the Welsh Government’s aspirations, including whether or not a formal review of TAN 8 is now required’.
Welshpool town clerk Robert Robinson described the letter as a “significant development” while a lead campaigner, Nick Larder, said: “This will hopefully take the burden of proof off of our shoulders. If the WAG make the decree we want to hear (as I would assume they will), Westminster won't have to ask us to prove everything we say because they will have an almost unimpeachable source of proof already available.”
The inquiry invitation letter in its entirety can be read by clicking the link below.