Scarweather sands wind farm given the go-ahead by Welsh Assembly

Scarweather wind farm get the green light

Our nine-month campaign to promote the development of a large wind farm off the coast of Porthcawl, South Wales, paid off yesterday when the planning committee of the Welsh Assembly agreed to back the proposal.

Following a public inquiry, held last November, the committee has approved proposals for thirty 120 metre turbines, situated between 3.5 and 4.3 miles off the coast. On completion the turbines will meet 10% of the renewable energy target set by the Welsh Assembly.

The £120m project's developer, United Utilities, estimates that the wind farm will generate enough electricity to power 82,000 homes.

Project manager Chris Williams said: "We think it's a good scheme which would help place Wales at the forefront of a growing 'green economy' as well as helping to tackle climate change.

The public inquiry, held last November in response to opposition by anti-wind groups, heard that the turbines would meet 10% of the renewable energy target set by the Welsh Assembly.

The planning committee's decision will not be ratified until after the Assembly's summer recess. If 10 Assembly Members appeal against the committee's recommendation, then a final decision will be taken by a vote of the whole Assembly.

According to Greenpeace's Robin Oakley "Swansea Bay residents are overwhelmingly in favour of this project. Over three times as many local people supported this windfarm than opposed it, proving that clean energy provided by wind is exactly what the public want.

"Assembly Members must now listen to the people and get this windfarm built quickly."