A TOWN council has voted unanimously in favour of requesting a referendum over wind farm developments in Powys.

Llandrindod Wells Town Council said that members voted at its February meeting to appeal to the local authority and all Powys county councillors to hold a vote over the impact to the area and enormous affect the industrialisation of plans will have on the Mid Wales countryside.

Renewable energy developer Bute Energy’s latest phase of proposals, announced in November, would see energy parks built on two separate sites near Llandrindod and Builth Wells.

Llandrindod Town Council said in January it “totally opposes” proposals for Bryn Gilwern Energy Park, which could see turbines and associated infrastructure built on Gilwern Hill, between Llandrindod and Builth, just west of Hundred House.

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“Llandrindod Wells Town Council has voted unanimously in favour of a proposal at a meeting held on February 20 to request that a referendum be held with regard to the proposed plans to build a series of 720-feet tall wind turbines and the associated infrastructure through Powys and affecting many villages and towns such as Llandrindod,” said the town council in a statement.

“The town council believes local people are entitled to have their say on an issue of such great importance and that, without it, democracy will not be seen to be done.”

However, the spa town’s representatives said they had already received a response from Powys County Council (PCC) chief executive Emma Palmer, stating that no referendum will be held.

“Llandrindod Wells Town Council has sent the request to every Powys county councillor, including the leader of the council and the chief executive Emma Palmer,” continued the town council statement.

“It is hoped that Powys county councillors will instigate a meeting to discuss this with a view to holding a vote in the interests of democracy, given the impact to the area and the enormous affect this industrialisation of the countryside will have on the lives of people who live here for decades to come.

County Times: 'No To Pylons' banners and signs have become a familiar sight along Powys roadsides, including this one just outside Cilmery, since Bute Energy proposals were first announced. 'No To Pylons' banners and signs have become a familiar sight along Powys roadsides, including this one just outside Cilmery, since Bute Energy proposals were first announced. (Image: Matt Jones)

“Unfortunately, the chief executive has already stated in her swift response, seemingly on behalf of all county councillors, that no referendum will be held and therefore the democratic process normally witnessed has been set aside by her.

“We now await further responses from our county councillors to gauge their views on this and will begin a process of asking other town and community councils to join with them to apply further pressure on Powys County Council to seek a democratic mandate before any further progress is made.”

A spokesperson for Powys County Council said: “A Development of National Significance (DNS) is a type of planning application for a large infrastructure project of national importance, for example, a wind farm, power station or reservoir.

“Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) handles DNS applications on behalf of the Welsh ministers, who determine these type of planning applications.

“These are not determined by local planning authorities such as the county council.

County Times: People pore over plans at a Bute Energy engagement event held at the Royal Welsh Showground last March. Credit Matt Jones Alt text people Image ID: People pore over plans at a Bute Energy engagement event held at the Royal Welsh Showground last March. Credit Matt Jones Alt text people Image ID: (Image: Matt Jones)

“However, the council would be involved in various ways in the DNS process. At the application stage, it is a formal requirement of the DNS process for the council, in its capacity as the local planning authority, to submit as local impact report to PEDW.

“This report gives details of the likely impact of the proposed development on the authority’s area.

“There is also provision within planning regulations for other local planning authorities or town and community councils to submit voluntary local impact reports.”

Bryn Gilwern Energy Park and Aberedw Energy Park, combined, would have up to 34 turbines with a maximum height of 220 metres at Bryn Gilwern and 200 metres at Aberedw.

A second round of consultation on the Green GEN Towy Usk project, transporting renewable energy from Bute Energy’s flagship Nant Mithil Energy Park in the Radnor Forest near Llandegley to Carmarthenshire, is now underway, and finishes on May 8.