AM raps last minute wind consultation (From South Wales Guardian)

AM raps last minute wind consultation

10:33am Wednesday 28th June 2006 in News

A COMMUNITY leader has criticised the planning inspectorate overseeing a controversial wind farm appeal for failing to give adequate notice of a public meeting in the Amman Valley.

Gwenda Thomas AM was horrified to discover the announcement of a hearing in Gwaun-cae-Gurwen Community Hall on Thursday evening was made only hours before it kicked off.

The meeting was part of the planning inquiry into a controversial application to site four 100 metre high wind turbines on Mynydd Y Gwrhyd, which was turned down by Neath Port Talbot planners last year.

Awel Aman Tawe, which is behind the application for the community wind farm, appealed against the authority's decision.

The meeting in Gwaun-cae-Gurwen last week gave those who were unable to attend the inquiry at Penllergaer an opportunity to air their views.

"I stated in the meeting that if it had been better publicised more people would have taken the opportunity to air their views," said Mrs Thomas, Assembly Member for Neath.

Mrs Thomas has strenuously opposed the application since it was submitted three years ago.

She said: "I oppose the Assembly TAN 8 document which states that 36% of all wind farms in Wales will be situated in Neath and Port Talbot.

"Even though this wind farm is not included in the TAN 8 document it will still have an impact on my constituents."

The inquiry is scheduled to conclude at the end of this week.