Pentre Tump wind farm: New REG plans for Powys council

Revamped proposals for a controversial Powys wind farm have been drawn up which could see the turbines built higher than originally planned.

The three-turbine application, earmarked for Pentre Tump, near New Radnor, will go before Powys council.

REG Windpower intends to build them to a maximum height of 103.5m (340ft), compared to 91m (298ft) in an application from 2010.

The company said the scheme would be a positive addition to the area.

The Pentre Tump plans were unveiled in 2002 by Cornwall Light and Power, which has changed its name to REG Windpower.

Local people have been fighting the wind farm development, and in 2010 Powys council turned down a planning application for it.

The visual impact, the impact on the landscape and the effect on public rights of way were among reasons why councillors refused it.

Now a new application has been submitted to the local authority.

One of the objectors, Andy Foster, said: "The application was considered in 2010 and was turned down unanimously by the council.

'Tourist area'

"My property is 600m from the nearest turbine and all three are far too close to properties."

"We live in a tourist area and it is a gateway to Wales. People will see these turbines very clearly. They will be very dominant and adversely affect the skyline."

He said the action group to which he belongs, Save Our Scenery Radnorshire, would continue to fight the plans.

REG Windpower said the maximum height of the turbines had increased to give the firm more options, and it did not necessarily mean they would end up being 103.5m tall.

A spokesman said: "We believe Pentre Tump Wind Farm will be a positive addition to Radnorshire, generating safe, clean and renewable electricity which will help combat the effects of climate change.

"During our community consultations we worked hard to communicate its benefits to residents and have adapted our original proposals to take account of their views.

"We believe that the development is appropriate for the local area given the revised positioning of the turbines and the routing of all cabling underground to avoid using over ground pylons."

The spokesman said REG was keen to hear from local people about the plans.

There is strong opposition to wind farms in Powys after the National Grid announced proposals earlier this week for a 19-acre (7.6ha) electricity substation in Cefn Coch, near Llanfair Caereinion.

It also proposed a network of pylons, but said some cables could go underground.