Vyrnwy will “not be sold for birds at people’s expense”

 

Mr Davies met with representatives of the United Utilities/RSPB bid, which has been chosen by Severn Trent plc as the 'preferred bidder' for the Lake Vyrnwy Estate to address local concerns, particularly from the people of Llanwddyn nearby.

 

But while entering the meeting a little apprehensive, Mr Davies said he emerged with a renewed confidence that the Lake Vyrnwy Estate will “not be sold for birds at the expense of people”.

 

He said: “The meeting gave me some confidence that United Utilities will have the best interests of the Llanwddyn area at heart, and that the company will take its environmental, social and economic responsibilities seriously. I was also pleased that immediately the 'confidentiality' restrictions placed on United Utilities are lifted, the company intends to hold meetings with the local community to outline future plans.

  

“The local community in the Llanwddyn area is deeply concerned about what plans United Utilities/RSPB have for their area, and the aim of the meeting was to seek some reassurance about the intentions of the 'preferred bidder' for the Lake Vyrnwy Estate.

 

“The greatest concern expressed to me is that the area will be managed 'for birds at the expense of people'. I was reassured by the commitments given today that this will not be so; and that a primary objective of United Utilities is a ‘viable living for our tenant farmers'. I was also told about investments made in rural infrastructure in the 57,000 hectares that the company already owns.

 

"The greatest concern I now have is the timetable for completing whatever deal is going to go ahead. There is a statutory requirement that there be 90 days of further discussion involving CCW, before a sale can be agreed.  This period has not started yet. I accept that the 90 days  cannot be reduced, but I wanted United Utilities/RSPB to be aware that uncertainty about the future is causing much concern locally."

 

The sale of the Lake Vyrnwy Estate is one of the largest land sales ever in the UK.