An application to build a giant wind turbine near Crumlin has been delayed after developers missed a crucial site visit by planners.
A “miscommunication” was blamed for the company behind the scheme failing to show.
Proposals for a 113 metre high wind turbine and associated works at the Durisol UK facility, close to the Pen-y-Fan Country Park, were before the authority’s planning committee on Wednesday, April 18.
The committee heard that although a large number of residents, who have objected to the plans, attended the site visit on Monday, a representative from the Leeds-based firm Sirius Renewable Energy was not informed.
Cllr Mike Adams, the deputy mayor and chair of the Planning Committee, said that another site visit would need to be arranged, but was unsure whether the public could attend.
He said: “It was very well attended by residents. Whether or not we have a new site visit that is open to residents, I’m not sure.”
However, Chris Boardman, a senior development control officer and principal planner with Caerphilly Council, said the applicant was keen to organise two site visits.
He added the applicant was proposing a site visit to Trinant, whose residents – along with those living in Pentwyn – would be visually impacted by the height of the turbine, which will be located on the Pen-y-Fan industrial estate.
“The applicant has requested a site visit at Trinant and the application site,” said Mr Boardman, adding no comments had been received stating it should be a private site visit.
Thirty-five letters of objection were received from residents about the proposals as well as a petition with 94 signatures and a letter of opposition from Rhianon Passmore, the Islwyn AM.
Cllr Mike Davies, the Plaid Cymru ward member for Crumlin, said it was important that any re-arranged site visits should be open to all.
“Just for clarity, once the site visit is re-organised, I think the residents should have the opportunity to take a look around the site,” he said.
The application covers a turbine with a rated output capacity of up to two megawatts, roughly able to power 400 homes.
Planners have recommended the scheme be refused permission.
Call me synical, but a big firm doesn’t just not turn up to meeting. This was all ochestrated so that when the next meeting is called, people will not attend. It’s hard enough for people to attend meetings any way but to go twice is a plot, to push this planning through. I’m not against green energy by any means, but wind power is not the answer , let’s look at tidal or water. I would also like to know why we are placing these turbines near beauty spots? Back hand to the council???
“BIOFUELS, BIOMASS and WINDFARMS are destroying wildlife habitats at great speed, yet they do not produce any environmental benefits at all. They
are remedies that are worse than the illness and should be abandoned
immediately.”
“The World Council for Nature does not condone the destruction of nature in order to, supposedly, “save the planet”. If the planet is at risk, it is from the corrupt alliance of “green” charlatans, subsidy-sucking speculators, and politicians. Together, they have created a monster which is causing more devastation worldwide than there has been in 5,000 years of civilisation.”
Mark Duchamp President