Agenda item

To consider an application for construction and operation of a wind farm comprising of sixteen wind turbines along with transformers, access tracks, on-site switchgear and metering building, two anemometry towers and associated construction and operation infrastructure (revised scheme partially implemented under planning permission reference 25/2007/0565) at land east of Llyn Brenig, Nantglyn (copy attached).

[Councillor Meirick Davies declared a personal interest because he attended ‘Pylon the Pressure Group’ meetings.]

An application was submitted for construction and operation of a wind farm comprising of sixteen wind turbines along with transformers, access tracks, on-site switchgear and metering building, two anemometry towers and associated construction and operation infrastructure (revised scheme partially implemented under planning permission reference 25/2007/0565) at land east of Llyn Brenig, Nantglyn.

Mrs. D. Jones (Against) – spoke for local residents and referred to previous planning history and objections based on landscape, visual impact and wellbeing.

Mr. J. Woodruff (For) – confirmed the scheme had commenced under previous consent and local contractors used.  Argued the impact of the proposal to increase the turbine tip height from 100 to 110 metres would be imperceptible but would lead to a wider selection of turbines to choose from.

General Debate – The Planning Officer (IW) summarised the report highlighting the volume of information and representations received.  He provided some context to the application outlining the commenced planning permission for sixteen turbines with a tip height of 100 metres.  The proposal was for 110 metres high turbines in the same location within the designated Strategic Search Area (SSA) and reference was made to the size and location of other turbines in the area.  The Council had sought independent technical advice on landscape and noise which officers considered gave no grounds for refusal.

Councillor Joe Welch (Local Member) spoke against the application stressing the need to protect local communities in the area.  He referred to the wealth of opposition and public feeling against the development, highlighting that the original proposals had been amended to reduce the tip height from 115 to 100 metres in order to fit in with the surroundings and was particularly significant in this case.  He elaborated upon the significant landscape and visual impact of the height difference together with concerns regarding noise and hydrology.  Councillor Stuart Davies expressed serious concerns regarding the noise impact which in his view would be significant and he also questioned the need for larger turbines when reduced operational use of the turbines had been proposed in order to control noise. 

Officers responded to issues raised advising that –

·         there was a need to consider whether the impact of the proposed increase in turbine height would be unacceptable given the existing planning consent and taking into account the context of other existing and consented turbines within the area together with the technical advice on landscape and noise

·         in terms of hydrology concerns, Natural Resources Wales had considered the detail of the application and raised no objections, however it would be possible to place conditions on the permission if appropriate in order to control impacts

·         noise impact was a serious consideration and an independent noise consultant had undertaken a detailed review which concluded noise was not a critical issue  provided conditions were imposed in order to meet noise standards – it was accepted that windfarms generated noise but the issue was whether operation of the windfarm would exceed reasonable limits

·         a greater choice of turbine was provided in the height range of 110 metres as opposed to 100 metres.

Members discussed the application and planning considerations further and expressed serious concerns over the additional impacts of the proposal over and above those created by the existing permission.  Many members felt unable to support the application given the further detrimental impact on the community as a result.  In addition to visual amenity concerns some members were not reassured that the proposed development would result in acceptable noise levels and further concerns were raised regarding the impact of the proposed development on health and wellbeing.  In response to debate officers asked members to consider that the main difference to the existing planning consent was an increase in the turbine dimensions involving a tip height increase of 10 metres.  Welsh Government had classified the area appropriate for large scale turbine developments and consent had already been given for even larger turbines in close proximity.  It was likely that refusal would need to be defended at a public enquiry.

Proposal – Councillor Joe Welch proposed that the application be refused, contrary to officer recommendation, on the grounds of increased and significant impact on visual amenity.  In light of further concerns raised during debate he proposed an amendment to include additional grounds of noise and health impact.  Councillor Stuart Davies seconded the proposal.

VOTE:

GRANT – 3

REFUSE – 16

ABSTAIN – 0

RESOLVED that permission be REFUSED, contrary to officer recommendation, on the grounds of increased and significant impact on visual amenity, noise and health.