Wind Turbines Receive Green Light

Welshpool protesters failed in their bid to block windfarms as 12 wind turbines have been given the go-ahead to be built near Carno in Powys by the County Council.

The local planning committee gave permission for Tirgwynt wind farm subject to a number of conditions, including their height not exceeding 80m (260ft).

The wind farm will produce 27.6 megawatts of energy.

People worried about the transportation of the turbines through Welshpool protested outside the planning meeting.

According to the planning committee's agenda, the wind farm will link up to the existing local grid, ensuring that no major building work will be needed to create a new one.

However, residents and Welshpool Town Council have repeatedly raised concerns about the transportation of the turbines by road to the wind farm site, which will cover 440 hectares on the uplands of Mynydd yr Hendre and Mynydd Pistyll Du, between Carno and Cefn Coch.

Welshpool mayor Estelle Bleivas was among the protesters outside Powys council's offices in Welshpool ahead of the meeting.

After councillors voted to give the wind farm conditional approval, West Coast Energy, the agents for the applicant Awel Newydd, said it was "delighted".

"It will give security to the many farming families involved in the scheme for some years to come," said Paul Vernon, project director for the scheme.

"Awel Newydd looks forward to working with the council, communities and various agencies to building this and making a valuable contribution to Wales' carbon free energy generation targets."