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Plans to destroy the beauty of Mid Wales, Powys. – The Petition Site
Sign to save the devastation of Mid Wales,Powys. (77 signatures on petition)http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/plans-to-destroy-the-beauty-of-mid-wales-powys/
Many thanks,
Angel
By: Angel on September 22, 2011
at 11:09 pm
Only now I think I begin to understand the Coalitions announced intention to privatise the forests – more money for the big boys ? Thank God it hasn’t yet been adopted.
What a sad and greedy world we live in – nearly all the world’s problems are motivated by greed. I fear so much for the lifestyle of future generations.
By: Fancy pants on September 18, 2011
at 3:10 pm
Clock this !
http://consciouslifenews.com/andrea-rossi-demonstrates-cat-clean-energy-reactor/116654/
If it’s for real, turbines are definitely obsolete, but it’s probably one of those über-brillaint ideas of which one never hears any more, and will of course be rumoured to have been bought up and binned by big business !
By: Tony R on July 13, 2011
at 5:18 pm
Here is the text of a letter I have sent to National Grid. There is an aroma of cold feet at the WA. Griffiths letter is a policy statement. It has to be a starting point for a decision maker, Inspector or the IPC. If a policy maker does not believe something, then his belief is policy. My reference to underlined bit is the sentence starting with “We do not believe…”
Unless the Minister envisages a huge cats cradle of little wires on wooden posts, then it will be impossible to connect the vast numbers of turbines being proposed in Mid Wales. Don’t start dancing in the streets yet, but you may just have pulled it off.
Dear Sirs
Proposed Mid Wales Connection
You will be aware of the statement issued by John Griffiths AM Dated July 2011 which commences “Welsh Government energy policy and aspirations”. In that statement he writes:
TAN 8 details that any connection from a substation to the nearest point of the distribution network would be “achieved by a standard 3 wire system on wooden
poles or by undergrounded lines”. This remains the Welsh Government’s view and is
reinforced by the approach set out within out the Renewable Energy Route Map for Wales in 2008, and the Energy Policy Statement in 2010. Provided development is limited to the maximum capacities above, we do not believe that there is a need for the large, visually intrusive, high voltage grid network infrastructure and associated sub station of the kind proposed within Mid Wales. Where new grid is required, we expect the grid company and regulator to ensure that it is located, designed and installed as sensitively as possible, using appropriate techniques, including the use of undergrounding.
In view of the underlined statement, what is the implication of this policy for your plans to construct high voltage grid network infrastructure within the Welsh Borders and Shropshire?
Yours faithfully
David Ward
On behalf of SNAP (Shropshire North Against Pylons)
By: Dave Ward on July 8, 2011
at 8:42 am
David. An excellent letter.
I understand that the CAP payments to farmers are freely available on the internet?
Can anyone provide the site details please?
Having visited two of the four Scottish Power Renewables ‘roadshows’ I was wondering ….
Why should some farmers get two bites at the subsidy cherry?
CAP payments are, in layman’s terms, intended to help certain farms.
These payments are in effect coming from our contribution to the EU kitty.
Farmers taking further huge sums from windfarm subsidies are having a ‘second bite at the cherry’.
The ‘cherry’ being paid for by OUR taxes and OUR payments to the developers.
There should be an automatic and total cessation of CAP subsidy to any farmer/landowner choosing to take a windfarm subsidy.
Why should they have both?
By: Peter on July 10, 2011
at 11:27 pm
Hope your party is a success. If you want no know all the types of energy the Welsh Assembly thing are suitable for wales look at the ‘Welsh Assemby Government Energy policy statement 2010′.
If you want to find what is happening in connection with Marine energy go to http://www.marineenergypembrokshire.co.uk.
I thik the Wind Turbine objector have let them selves down in the past by not supportin, with as energy as they object to wind energy, other forms of alternative power according to the web sites I have visited. One other point to consider – the nearer the source of generation of power to the customer the more efficent.
This is wher the support, and organiastion, of local generation is important.
Is not dear because of the money various organisations give to any venture.
A charity I am involved in got a 1 kW solar array for raising £300 which will earn them over £400 per year, the rest came from grants.
I hope you get a good selection of types of renewable energy firms at your party. It might worth contacting big firms such Marin Turnbine Turbines, Ocean Power Delivery, Marine Energy Pembrokeshire for any literture of CDs with information on them
By: Martin Bemment on July 5, 2011
at 10:57 am
Martin – It is our intention to have as many of the microgeneration technologies represented as possible at our Sustainable Life Festival on the 30th (http://www.takethepowerback.org.uk/)
By: MAP on July 6, 2011
at 12:19 am
When challenged, chief Quisling Carwyn Jones wrote in an email to me that he was unaware of any meeting at the Senedd on 24th May (could he be both blind and deaf – there were over 1,500 good folk outside making quite a racket???); and neither does he know of any recent event at Machynlleth that he was supposed to attend!!!
Has anyone yet told him that he is the one who is supposed to be in charge, and is he indeed fit for purpose???
David B
By: David Bellamy on June 30, 2011
at 6:48 pm
He either has a strange sense of humour – or he is utterly stupid.
The biggest protest yet seen at the Senedd and he claims to be “unaware” !!
Clearly not fit for purpose – or he is showing the early signs of Alzheimers.
Found yet another interesting reference on the net to a Refused Appeal for turbines. The Planning Inspector said :-
“I find nothing to alter my conclusion that the scheme as put before me is unacceptable in policy, safety and environmental terms. It does not represent a sensitive approach to exploitation of renewable energy resources in this particular area of countryside and I therefore refuse planning permission for it.”
So, unlike the Inspector on the BBC documentary “Windfarm Wars”, here at least was one Inspector prepared to say a resounding “No”.
By: Peter on July 1, 2011
at 4:24 pm
Note the last line :-
“RenewableUK has been engaging closely with National Grid and the two organizations have co-funded a study that identified high level constraints to grid infrastructure in the area. This study has now been completed and National Grid has begun a consultation process with statutory consultees. Further detailed consultations will be conducted by National Grid that will include routing studies and Environmental Impact Assessments. With planning applications both for a substation and a 400kV grid line being prepared by the end of 2012, National Grid expects that construction will be completed by October 2015.”
By: Peter on July 4, 2011
at 10:06 am
National Grid and their partners in crime must have more money than sense for if they really think they will get away with distroying our landscapes they are crazy. The loss of a Nations land, history and culture is the worst that can ever happen, this savage loss normally happens as a result of WAR, and thats what we are facing, we dont give in to bullies this land belongs to its people not a handful of WA members who have to power to stop this before its to late.
No Surrender….
By: graham hadley on July 6, 2011
at 8:00 pm
David, my idea is this: either Carwyn starts to behave like a leader for the whole country, or we declare an independant nation of Montgomeryshire.
By: Myfanwy Alexander on July 4, 2011
at 11:01 pm
Its time we the people of Montgomery stood up and declared that this land belongs to its people, over a thousand years of history marched through this most Holy Land and the people fought all who distroy their land, greed and money is our foe today and for those who who try and rape our most hallowed land there is only one reward, an entry in the black book of MOST WANTED, their names will never be forgotten by us or our children who will never forgive those who robbed them and their children of the wonderful vistas of Wild Wales, a blight on them all,
By: graham hadley on July 11, 2011
at 9:06 pm
I would like to know what other types of alternative energy you support.
Do you support the local generation of electricty by solar, small wind , biodidestor etc.
Do you support any Large types such as Marine energy, tidal steam and wave.
What is your opinion on the remote generation of power such as Wyfa which uses large pylons to bring electricity to us.
This is not a critism by the way
By: Martin Bemment on July 5, 2011
at 11:04 am
Please feel free to join the discussion on exactly this question on our open Facebook site (http://www.facebook.com/MontgomeryshireAP#!/MontgomeryshireAP/posts/143484852394168?notif_t=feed_comment)
By: MAP on July 6, 2011
at 12:24 am
I still think a public registrar of who is allowing turbines to be erected on their land would be a very positive move. Let their names be known to everyone who lives in midwales, the charge of crimes against the Free People Of Montgomery should be their reward for selling out our county.
Name and shame, this is a threat to our nation and all’s fair in love and war!!
Wales Most Wanted!
By: graham hadley on July 6, 2011
at 7:41 pm
BBC Wales Today.
Coverage of the excellent Powys CC meeting at Welshpool is on iPlayer for another 4 hours.
10 mins 20 secs. into the video you’ll see an interesting snippet from the spokeswoman for Renewable UK.
They seem to realise that something is up and understand the need for a review.
Why has the WAG (and Carwyn in particular) not yet realised that THEY have to be proactive and convey the emerging concern about the unsustainable economics and associated damage from a flawed policy (at Welsh and UK levels) on a flawed technology?
Indian investors are putting $600 million of investment into biomass and small scale hydro. They have ruled out windfarms totally – because they cannot get anywhere near the required 50% PLF – Plant Load Factor.
The Con-Lib Energy Minister needs to brush up on what the rest of the world is doing.
By: Peter on June 30, 2011
at 2:17 pm
Is anyone travelling through Trefeglwys tomorrow who would be prepared to offer a lift ? If so, please email minxqc@hotmail.com
Diolch yn fawr
By: Miss Gwlan on June 28, 2011
at 10:27 pm
Myfanwy and Co. You are doing a superb job on our behalf. Thank you.
And to single out Myfanwy, your speech at Cardiff was of Churchillian stature – it is just a terrible shame and a mystery that so many Welsh AM’s do not share your passion for their beautiful country.
Root cause of this subsidy-farming is the crazy and unsustainable financial incentive to despoil our landscape for such minimal and intermittent gain.
Take a look at the feed-in tariffs by scrolling down on this site :-
http://www.energy.eu/
The UK ( and YOU are the U in UK!) are paying NINE times more than Denmark.
When the 21st Century South Sea Bubble that is the Welsh Windfactory Folly finally bursts, who will pick up the pieces?
Probably YOU again?
I am waiting for an answer from Powys Planning on what measures they have in place to stop the burden of huge decommissioning costs falling on the Powys ratepayer.
Why? Because of this :-
“California’s wind farms — then comprising about 80% of the world’s wind generation capacity — ceased to generate much more quickly than Kamaoa, Hawaii. In the best wind spots on earth, over 14,000 turbines were simply abandoned. Spinning, post-industrial junk which generates nothing but bird kills.”
Hawaii has five abandoned windfarms and California has a similar problem.
Private windfactory companies can (when the subsidy bubble bursts and/or maintenance, insurance and replacement costs become untenable) choose to go into liquidation.
Like America, and parts of Spain, we will be left with useless rusting turbines and gigantic blocks of concrete on our uplands.
If the follies continue to be built then there is another problem. When they catch fire ( see http://www.caithnesswindfarms.co.uk/fullaccidents.pdf) they have to be left to burn themselves out, spreading toxic fumes and debris over a huge downwind area.
One final thought.
I read that when Carno Windfactory was being proposed, one of the three landowners thought it … quote … “bizarre” that people from outside the area had written to the planners with objections …
Clearly one landowner who did not understand a simple word …. Tourism.
By: Peter on June 28, 2011
at 12:27 pm
Crikey ! Interesting, those feed-in tarriffs. Ours is far higher than anywhere else and about double that of the next highest, Cyprus.
Also note that our diesel’s the dearest in Europe, but on the other hand our heating oil’s at the bottom end of the scale.
Good point about the decommissioning, although with the unlimited cash we’re throwing at the turbine companies, it’s difficult to see how they could possibly go bust; at least for 30 years or so.
By: Tony R on June 28, 2011
at 9:20 pm
I have been told the the wag has discussed amendments to the TAN8.
does every body know what the amendments were and the rersult of the debate
By: Martin Bemment on June 23, 2011
at 7:29 pm
Carwyn Jones has described his statement of Friday as a review of TAN 8, Martin!
By: Myfanwy Alexander on June 26, 2011
at 1:07 pm
Have not posted before, but an avid reader of MAP commentries and totally against TAN8 / National Grid proposals, moreover, destruction of Montgomeryshire countryside and communities. On that, can I just draw to people’s attention through shock and disgust, that a national institution namely The National Eisteddfod, an organisation that strongly represents Welsh culture, folklore, history and community to name but a few is working in partnership/sponsorship with…get this…Wind Power Wales !! Unbelievable what? The National Eisteddfod fully supports and promotes the benefits / ideals of Wind Power Wales, endorsed by no other than Eisteddfod Director(s). How ironic and pathetic it is that the Eisteddfod organisation / national institution that alledgedly supports, promotes, and represents many aspects of Welsh community life (young and old), culture, folklore and ideals is helping to potentially destroy the very heart of it’s existence ……. communities and way of life ! This bombshell should be exposed, moreover, re-evaluate the ideals and principles of an organisation that embodies Welsh culture and communities. This may be old news, but had to put over my disgust and outrage. Be interested to know opinions.
By: Owain on June 22, 2011
at 1:45 pm
I agree with you Owain and would suggest that a campaign does need to be launched against the National Eisteddfod for this collaboration but also, do realise, that this is only the tip of the Iceburg. It is becoming more and more obvious that the ‘turbine terrorists’ with their ‘windmills of mass destruction’ plans for Cymru have been very busy cultivating our ‘crachach’, and appointing ‘Cymraeg speaking front men’ such as ‘one time’ Cymdeithas yr Iaith activist and Plaid Cymru member Eryl Vaughan being one of three that I, personally, know of. Also, in many ‘Cymraeg circles’ there is a black propaganda campaign in operation that makes out that it is only ‘Incomers’ that are opposed to windmills and that allowing ‘Cymraeg speaking’ farmers to use land for windmills helps subsidise them and thus enables them to stay in business and continue to be part of a sustainable but subsidised ‘Cymraeg speaking’ community. Such connivance is then sustained by the Welsh speaking press – such as ‘Y Cymro’ newspaper who made no reference at all to the massive protest in Cardiff. Why not? Could it be anything to do with the fact that an advert had been placed in ‘Y Cymro’ that week by the Renewables bad guys. Coincidence?
This Judus ’30 pieces of silver’ sell out by certain ‘Cymru Crachach Cymraeg’ must be challenged, and this ‘Windmilling of Wales’ exposed as Post Industrial Green Imperialism – Eco Colonialism and as much a robbery as that which has taken place over centuries and not least, in period of living memories of the British Army seizing Welsh land and vacating and destroying whole communities and, of course, the drowning of Welsh Valleys and thriving communities to take water to serve England’s Industrial needs.
The destruction of Cymric communities time and time again has been a major factor in the destruction of the Welsh language and culture and Welsh way of life and it is happening again with this windmilling of Wales – and on a much larger scale than ever seen before – and ,again, its England and English capitalism that will benefit to Wales’s cost and the National Eisteddfod, the ‘supposed’ guardian of our language, culture and Welsh way of life should not be allowing itself to be bought by this ‘dirty money’ – and should be told so in very certain terms.
What can be done> I would suggest in the first instance that Anti Wind farm groups should make the effort to produce Cymraeg as well as English literature placards and banners to display during their campaigning. Not only is it correct to do so in a nation that has its own language, it will assist to do away with the argument that only ‘incomers’ are opposed to the Windmilling of Wales.
I would further suggest that the ‘Pabell y Cymdeithasau’ (Societies pavilion) is booked for an hour – or longer? during Eisteddfod week so that invited Welsh speakers such as Iolo Williams, Sian Lloyd and Myfanwy Alexander will have an opportunity to address the public on the issue of the Windmilling of Wales and the National Eisteddfod’s collaboration in this with the acceptance of this ‘dirty money.
That’s a start.
Sian Ifan
By: Sian Ifan on June 24, 2011
at 12:56 pm
Cytuno,n llwyr, Sian! Cymunedau cymraeg yn yr ardal yma yn cynnialiadwy ond yn fregus tu hwnt- petai 4 neu 5 o swyddi yn mynd, fydd ysgoliion yn cau ac yr iaith yn mynd y chwalu. Mae gas gen i weld ble mae,r arain yn mynd: mae,n iawn i noddi gwyl Cerdd Dant ond dydy hwn ddim yn caniatau dinistro pentrefi Dyffryn Banw. Son am stitch up- fydd o,n braf iawn i weld pa ymateb allwn ni dderbyn gan Steddfod. O rhan y gwasg, rhaid canmoli Golwg am ei straeon difyr.
By: Myfanwy Alexander on June 24, 2011
at 2:16 pm
Well I’m not surprises that the eisteddfods directors are for these dreadful Turbines, has the lure of easy money caused those who should protect wales throw their history to the winds. The Eisteddfod revolves around all that is welsh, be in music, dance and all that celibrates our most glourious nation, how in Gods name can they stand by and watch the savage rape of our country, the sins of man will be punished by a court higher than on this earth. shame and a blight on all who have betrayed their nation for a hand full of blood stained coins, the blood of which will never be washed away.
By: graham hadley on June 26, 2011
at 7:52 pm
Are we going to make our opinions known at the Eisteddfod? I will be happy to go & give out leaflets etc
By: Sally Matthes on June 25, 2011
at 11:07 am
Not being Welsh, but having Welsh in my blood via my Grandfathers family I was always proud of the welsh history and the peoples of Wales determined protection of their most beautiful histroy and heritidge. But faced with the utter widespread rape of their nation by their elected assembly they seem to accept their distruction.
Wake the Dragon and send its fire to devour those who would sell out this nobel land. Those who would take their 30 peices of silver to sell ouit their homeland will never, never be forgiven.
By: graham hadley on July 11, 2011
at 9:21 pm
Call me a cynic but I am not convinced by Carwyn Jones. We must not sit back now. We must keep up the momentum and make sure as many as possible STILL attend the meeting on the 29th. in the Welshpool Livestock Market. Don’t forget we will get substantial media coverage which can only be in our favour.
By: Ann on June 20, 2011
at 7:54 am
IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU COME TO WELSHPOOL LIVESTOCK MARKET IN TIME FOR THE 2.00 p.m. DEBATE ON WEDNESDAY 29TH JUNE
The Council is setting up a widescreen at the market so that we can see and hear the debate. We must support this extraordinary move by the council who want us to see democracy in action. If we do not turn out in great numbers then there is a very real danger that they will not vote for TAN8 to be revised. You came in the thousands and cheered Glyn Davies and followed him to Cardiff. It is equally important that you now follow this through and let Powys County Council know exactly how you feel.
UPDATE: Cllr Graham Brown has confirmed that the Welshpool Meeting is definately going ahead on 29th June at 2.00pm
By: MAP on June 20, 2011
at 10:54 am
Exactly, Ann: our council is more important than ever before
By: Myfanwy Alexander on June 20, 2011
at 6:13 pm
Carwyn Jones put on a show this week of going to London to ‘ask’ his bosses for more powers to decide on energy policies for Wales. He knew beforehand what the answer would be, a resounding NO CHANCE! So now, he, and all the other politicians in Bae Caerdydd are all smugly hoping that the heat is off them and that the Wind War will be taken to Westminster. NO, NO NO. The Welsh Assembly are hell bent on claiming that they are a Welsh Government as they have “had more powers” but, it seems that they do not have the “powers” to safeguard our nation’s communities and its resources! Therefore, I would suggest that it is up to them now to get off their smug backsides and begin to earn their wage and the right to represent our nation by ‘demanding’ the powers to safeguard communities and resources within our nation. If we have a Welsh Government in Bae Caerdydd, why should we need to go to Westminster ‘cap in hand’ to beg as our mining communities have had to do in the past. We should continue to campaign here in Cymru whenever an opportunity arises. Make the life of our elected politicians in Bae Caerdydd very uncomfortable until they get rid of the TAN 8 policy regardless of whether they are “allowed to” or not by the Westminster government.
By: Sian Ifan on June 24, 2011
at 9:34 pm
Good news from the Welsh Government – a glimmer of hope for us all in Montgomeryshire.
However there is another potential blight for our countryside and that is the increase in planning applications for single wind turbines on individual farms. Now I actually have no problem with this as long as the turbines are small and unobtrusive, but our neighbour has put in an application for 2 turbines on his and his brother’s farms (less than a mile apart) for turbines 35 metres tall with 9 metre blades – total 44 metres. These are huge constructions – almost as tall as the proposed pylons and if these are passed will set a precedent for turbines popping up all over the countryside, and benefitting no-one apart from the applicants themselves.
Be interested to know what anyone else feels about this?
By: Fran on June 18, 2011
at 10:01 am
You’re right, there are plenty of farmers out there willing to take the grant money to invest in”smaller” turbines. There are also plenty of local busineses there to promote them. When a Pontrobert farmer applied for his 15 metre turbine last year, there was just 1 objection.
Thankfully, the planning decision found that the turbine affectect the “amenity” of the nearest property.
I’m sure that at that time the community council and elected representatives were out of their depth.
In Meifod there’s a placcard that says,”there’ll be turbines on every mountain and pylons in the valleys”, this will be very true.
Please dson’t be frightened to fight…you can win.
By: Del Ellis on June 24, 2011
at 9:56 pm
I live in a rural part of Carmarthenshire with a line of pylons just a few hundred yards away, stretching off into the distance. They’re not lovely, granted, but they don’t ruin the landscape, and frankly I like having electricity so it’s the lesser of two evils. Long-term, the cost of energy is not going to go down – it will keep going up because fossil fuel production will decline. Peak oil and gas will have a devastating impact on every aspect of our lives. It’s not possible to exaggerate how dangerous the next few decades could become. And it will be all the more dangerous because we’ve left it far too late to get any kind of alternative in place. Every windfarm that is opposed is another nail in our collective coffin. Not in my backyard, eh?
By: Simon on June 17, 2011
at 4:40 pm
Simon, how effective are the power sources which necessitate the pylons in your landscape? In Montgomeryshire, we are being expected to lose our only industry (tourism) for the sake of a tiny amount of power, less than 11% of the output of the new gas fired power station in Pembrokeshire. Because of their low output, turbines have to be numerous and wide-spread, each with attendant infrastructure. The blight therefore spreads, creating a pylon and turbine landscape. This will cost us jobs in the only industry we have, tourism. Rural communities here could be described as stable but fragile. If the caravan site cuts back because of fewer bookings, the man who cuts the grass has to move away to find work. His children leave the school and suddenly that is under threat. The shop is not viable without the trade from the visitors and the pub is closed. Why should be put up with this when we already export more electricity than we use? Why not take the windfarms and pylons to where the power is used, rather than singling out a rural community to carry the whole burden? We are doing our bit already: how much electricity does Surrey provide to the National Grid?
By: Myfanwy Alexander on June 20, 2011
at 6:12 pm
If anyone who would doubt that Turbines will distroy tourism in midwales should take a trip through the west of scotland and see what pylons really look like! I have just driven back from a holiday on Loch Fyne and was totally disgusted by the ravaged countryside with lines and lines of pylons stretching as far as the eyes could see. Like Wales, Scotland was subjected to English rule during its history and we are being subjected once again, this time our elected leaders have sold us out and their sinfull actions will never be forgiven, their names will be passed on through generations as those reponsible for the most infamous distruction of a holy land.
By: graham hadley on June 26, 2011
at 8:03 pm
Think! we have hundreds of years of coal to fuel power stations, its a scam to say windfarms are the answer to our power decline, the truth is that the grants given out to those who would sell out their county ony serve one path to make a tiny minority the richer while the rest lose their beautiful landscapes.
By: graham hadley on July 11, 2011
at 9:27 pm
Just got the reminder from MAP about posting back the feedback form. You can of course fill in the feedback form online at: http://www.midwalesconnection.com/ You have to register but it does mean that anyone who misses the last post can still get in their response before Monday’s deadline.
By: Dave on June 17, 2011
at 11:34 am
I have to work on the 29th- but I will be with you all in spirit. The fight goes on. WE CAN AND WILL WIN !
By: Debbie on June 15, 2011
at 8:46 pm
Can’t help but notice in County Times that ‘any Councillor who declares an interest in Wind Farms (whether for or against) will be excluded from the Planning Committee regarding any decisions to do with Wind Farm Planning Applications?
If we all lobby (hard) every Councillor in Powys and get them to admit they (probably) don’t want anymore Wind Farms etc – Will this make the decision making process of the Planning Committee Void (and stop the planning going through)?
Making off the cuff comments about Councillor Bob Mills is how the previous Chief Exec of Powys left the Authority. We all know Bob Mills hates wind farms etc so is it worth getting the Councillors to comment if it can stop the planning process??
Also under TAN8 when were we informed that there was an inadequate infrastructure in Wales to deal with the extra (sporadically generated) electricity? Carwyn Jones needs to be asked why has he conned us?
It’s all worth a try – or it’s back to the 1970′s (Come home to a Real Fire and Live in Wales) and burning Sub Stations and Wind Farm Offices?
Only direct action is going to stop this (be honest with yourself).
Bring back Swampy??
By: Jerry on June 15, 2011
at 4:41 pm
Doesn’t ‘declaring an interest’ just mean financially, e.g. they own shares in windfarm companies ?
By: Tony R on June 15, 2011
at 10:26 pm
Yes, that’s right. An “interest” means “a financial or managerial interest”. Fortunately.
By: Juliet Griffin on June 20, 2011
at 8:12 am
Name and Shame these public elected people who support Windfarms and Pylons.
And remeber this sober fact! I am not aware that any land a turbine can stand on has been the subject of a complusary purchase order, so once again lets Name and Shame all the landowners who are selling out our landscapes and culture for a short term gain.
How dare these idiots rob the rich and wild landscapes of wales from being seen by my children and their children, a blight on them.
By: graham hadley on June 26, 2011
at 8:10 pm
I thought you would all like to know that Carwen Jones is at The Owain Glyndwr Centre In Machynlleth on Sat June 18th.
It would be a good opportunity if people were to turn up to let him know how we feel.
Here is a link to their website showing the details:
http://www.canolfanglyndwr.org/newslist.php
By: Louise on June 11, 2011
at 10:26 pm
The Opening Ceremony is scheduled to start at 2pm and be outside (weather permitting). Whilst we do not wish to steal the moment of the day away from the Centre it is also important that we we keep reminding the 1st Minister that we are here, our concerns are genuine and that both he and WAG have a duty to pay heed to the people of Wales and not simply dismiss their views out of hand because they do not match his own personal goals and the personal goals of the current WAG
By: MAP on June 13, 2011
at 7:01 am
Help, please! I urgently need to know the name of the gentleman who spoke to us on the steps of the Welsh Assemby during the protest ( and his title/official capacity) about the level of unemployment this scheme will cause in the area and what he said that figure would be. It’s in connection with an on-going correspondence I’m having with a Welsh M.P. on this issue
By: janet saffron on June 10, 2011
at 1:46 pm
I think the person you are refering to would be Mark Bebb at Salop Leisure
By: MAP on June 10, 2011
at 8:32 pm
Stage four of the Tour of Britain will see 96 of the world’s best cyclists race 180km from Powis Castle in Welshpool to Caerphilly Castle on Wednesday, September 14.
This is an ideal opportunity to protest against Tan 8.
Millions of worldwide fans hoping to see spectacular scenery on TV would instead be met with angry protesters, race disruptions and ugly banners.
Trying to emanate the Tour de France is a joke when the British government is actively involved in environmental vandalism of the countryside.
By: Jenny on June 10, 2011
at 3:25 am
Did you know that Carwyn Jones has declared in the Members Register of Interests that he has received financial backing from Pickering Ltd????
By: Satch on June 8, 2011
at 5:45 pm
AND he has declared financial support from Hugh James Solicitors – construction lawyers and Energy Sector specialists???
ALl a little too cosy, if you ask me!
By: Satch on June 8, 2011
at 5:48 pm
AND there’s more – he also has support from Lesley Griffiths, who’s name is linked to windfarm development…
By: Satch on June 8, 2011
at 5:51 pm
How does one contact the members listed under ‘about us’ ? Specifically Myfanwy ? I tried e-mailing MontgomeryshireAP@gmail.com & it just got bounced back twice !
By: Tony R on June 7, 2011
at 9:54 pm
Not sure what the problem is as some of your emails are getting through; Two yesterday – one regarding PCC29 and another to Myfanwy that was unfortunatly blank. We’ll let Myfanwy know that you are trying to get in touch with her
By: MAP on June 8, 2011
at 6:51 am
Ok, will resend it ! Thanks.
By: Tony R on June 8, 2011
at 5:34 pm
Interesting comments from Simon Jenkins, Guardian columnist and chairman of the National Trust, on the BBC’s Question Time last night. Answering a question about Germany’s non-nuclear decision this week, he digressed as follows:
”I do have trouble with the almost trivial amounts of electricity generated from wind, and I find as a visitor to Wales, I find the visual destruction of Mid Wales by these huge turbine farms, turning central Wales into a power station, it’s the rape of a landscape. And the proposal now, that there’s got to be in order to justify these wind turbines a row of gigantic pylons across the upper Severn Valley a total tragedy. If we haven’t got the guts to say some things are unacceptable, they’re ugly and unacceptable, and they must go underground, then we have no concern at all for the environment. These lines should go underground.”
By: Neil Morley on June 3, 2011
at 9:28 am
So good that Simon Jenkins spoke as he did… I hope he had a good applause! However, his point about ‘the almost trivial amounts of electricity generated from wind’ – with which I totally concur – should really mean that no more wind turbines are erected and therefore no powerlines either in the air or underground. But certainly, if we really cannot see an honourable turn-around on this issue, then of course, underground they should be, without further question, disruptive as this would be in itself.
If a private individual perpretated the kind of assault upon the landscape – or anything near in effect – his/her scheme would be thrown out by the Planning Department at once and he/she would be seen a public enemy!
The pro-windfarm land-owners, so-called green lobby and of course the companies who make a killing from these developments, say that ‘no-one expects the turbines to produce more energy than they do so the argument against them is specious’. But surely it must carry some weight that there is no justification in raising ‘so little extra power’ when the cost to the environment and to the local communities ‘is so great’.
This is the heart-breaking aspect of the situation. If windpower were truly the answer, we would all grit our teeth and bear the consequences. But it simply is not!
By: Jaci Dunsford on June 9, 2011
at 10:25 am
The Stakeholder Advisory Group on ELF EMFs (SAGE) has been set up by the UK Department of Health to explore the implications and to make practical recommendations for a precautionary approach to power frequency electric and magnetic fields. The first interim assessment of this group was released in April 2007, and found that the link between proximity to power lines and childhood leukaemia was sufficient to involve a precautionary recommendation, including an option to lay new power lines underground where possible and to prevent the building of new residential buildings within 60 m (197 ft) of existing power lines.
Why isn’t the government listening TO IT’S OWN ADVISORY GROUP?
You can find the full SAGE report at:
http://www.rkpartnership.co.uk/…/SAGE%20first%20interim%20assessment.pdf
By: Jenny on June 3, 2011
at 7:15 am
“06th June – CUP ‘Taking the Power Back’ Meeting
Welshpool Town Hall, Welshpool – 7:30pm
We have a lot to do over the coming weeks and need to be able to rely on a strong team of volunteers, so please will you think about the skills you have, what you can offer in the way of materials, other resources and time.”
Forgive my ignorance, but what is CUP ? County Under Pylons ? Anyone any contact details ?
By: Fleur on June 1, 2011
at 10:06 pm
Conservation of Upland Powys | Cadwriaeth Ucheldir Powys
http://www.midwaleswind.co.uk
By: MAP on June 2, 2011
at 8:08 am
Thanks !
By: Fleur on June 2, 2011
at 9:56 pm
Why is it that no one is mentinoning the fact the Peter Haine the Shadow Welsh Secretary has a vested intrest in this Wind farm going ahead in Mid Wales? I believe his family have accquired land in Mid Wales to which these horrible wind farms will be place.
Surely there is a conflict of intrest due to his position within the Welsh Parliament in this going ahead and the financial gain his family stand to make. Initially the local farmers stood to profit in having these beasts erected on their land but now it seems plans have changed?
Why is it that this can be so, having worked within the Energy industry I know for sure that this would be seen as insider information that could lead to indivuals/groups making a finaicial gain?
Why is this not being discussed?????
By: Charlotte on May 27, 2011
at 11:24 am
The potential vested interest of a number of political persons has been mentioned before and as you say would seem to many, including ourselves, to be seen as insider information for financial gain. We would very much encourage such open discussions and would very much like to see a portfolio containing indisputable factual evidence built up on this very subject. Please do drop us a direct email (montgomeryshireap@gmail.com) if this is an area you would like to work on or help with.
By: MAP on May 27, 2011
at 12:19 pm
Why has Russell George suddenly been given the sustainability portfolio? I thought corruption was illegal in this country.
By: dave on June 1, 2011
at 7:47 pm
Eh ? Why corruption ? On the face of it, this sounds like good news.
By: Tony R on June 1, 2011
at 9:59 pm
Curruption is only illegal in this country if you are not a member of a ruling body.
Money rules the hearts of most powerful people who would sell their grannies for a few peices of silver.
Powerful they may be in this world but one day they will stand before a higher court who will show little interest in money.
History will remember the names of all those people who are supporting these evil proposals to turn the whole of mid wales into an power station. Their family names will be blighted for ever.
By: graham hadley on June 26, 2011
at 8:23 pm
charlotte,I e-mailed Mr Hain & asked him if his family had land in Mid-Wales that was earmarked for wind farms & he has come back to me with the reply” definitely not”
So I have replied saying that I will correct this statement & apologised for this misapprehension.
Sally Matthes
By: Sally Matthes on May 29, 2011
at 7:55 pm
Obviously it would not be land listed in his own name, I would imagine that it would be owned under a company name to which him or his family have some sort of attachment/intrest.
I would not have expected any other reply from him other than ‘definetly not’ as who would want to let on that they have a vested intrest in a scheme that is apposed by many, and to which he stands to make possible financial gain!
By: Charlotte on May 31, 2011
at 11:32 am
Where has the info about Peter Haine come from?I’m not supporting him but we need to make sure our facts are right.
Also I think Welshpool meeting is Tuesday 7th but needs checking.
Sally
By: Sally Matthes on June 1, 2011
at 7:56 pm
All I was trying to do was instigate a conversation on the matter which I believe has not been allowed to be openly discussed. I have, probably like you, heard on the grapevine through various family/friends!
I, like all believe this will be devastating for Mid-Wales if this goes ahead and hope that something, maybe even this discussion may help in preventing this!
By: Charlotte on June 2, 2011
at 11:13 am
No Hub 8 NO Wind Farms NO Pylons NO Power NO Jobs wake up monty and smell the coffee times change and we all need this development
By: wake up monty on May 25, 2011
at 8:10 am
Over my dead body. This does not give local people work, except the unpaid type, spending our spare time writing letters of protest, when we should be doing something else.
Tourism is the most sustainable form of employment that the county has, studies have already shown that wind farms reduce this, and those have been little wind farms, not the monsters that are planned here and that is without the power lines and cables.
Maybe the people who are against the protestors will wake up one day, if all this goes ahead and wished that they had listened while they had the chance.
By: Julie Milne on May 25, 2011
at 9:40 pm
Anyone supporting windfarms clearly has no proper understanding of the subject.
May I suggest “The Windfarm Scam” by Dr John Etherington ? In fact it should be compulsory reading for all politicians & councillors, many of whom have no idea of the issues involved. Available from Amazon and maybe locally too, only £5 odd.
As to the health hazard from overhead lines, I recently saw a 1950s cigarette advert saying ‘just what the doctor ordered’. Seems laughable now and I imagine that in 50 years time our children will laugh at the view we currently have on electromagnetic radiation, i.e. we’re only just beginning to realise how dangerous it is.
Yeah, brill day in Cardiff, but with hindsight may have been better next week when the schools are off. For our next demo it’s been suggested that each of us takes one more along, so that we double the numbers.
By: Tony R on May 26, 2011
at 11:42 pm
Tony, the Assembly does not sit in half term week or any other school holidays, so we are obliged to go down in term time in order to make sure that there is someone at home!
By: Myfanwy Alexander on May 31, 2011
at 12:11 am
Would wake up Monty kindly explain to me and the vast majority of the Montgomeryshire population how exactly are we going to gain from this unspeakable proposal? I suggest you do some research you will soon realise the truth about wind power.
WIND POWER IS NOT GREEN ENERGY
If it does go ahead then there will be no JOBS.
By: Neil Tuffin on May 27, 2011
at 10:48 pm
Here here! Glad someone said it!
Heres some info for you.
Here we all are, over 2000 people marching on the Welsh Assembly to say No! to the Power plan Madness, here in Mid Wales and surrounding areas.
♥ ♥
Windfarms are being promoted as ‘Green Energy’.
Let me enlighten you.
China is being polluted in order to make the components for the turbines.
Here is a very interesting and compelling article by SIMON PARRY in China and ED DOUGLAS in Scotland
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-1350811/In-China-true-cost-Britains-clean-green-wind-power-experiment-Pollution-disastrous-scale.html#ixzz1PGKRXpP5
Meanwhile our roads are being massively changed in order to transport the pylons, substations and turbines, to there designated area, causing major stress to all concerned.
The surrounding hills and peat bogs are to be filled with tons of concrete and the forests felled, to hold up the monstorous sized pylons and turbines. The local village is to have a mammoth sized substation plonked right in the middle of it. The effect that this is having on the local communties is disasterous.
Green Energy in my view should surely be in balance and harmony with nature, the environment and man. It does not pollute or harm anything.
All this pollution and destruction cannot be labelled as Green! So why are some people so ready to defend it?
Ah yes! Global warming, well hogwash! I say.
Here is a very entertaining documentary by channel 4, titled ‘The Great Global Warming Swindle’ http://youtu.be/YtevF4B4RtQ
If you choose to watch this you might just agree with me.
I have started a worldwide petition, if you want to join the voice of the people to say No! to this Insanity, please sign at http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/plans-to-destroy-the-beauty-of-mid-wales-powys/
Blessings Angel xxx
Coming to your Area real soon!!!!!
By: Angel on June 16, 2011
at 5:08 pm
Yes green energy should be tune with nature. that is the purpose of community enrgy schemes. If over the decades of protest against wind turbines tis was backed up by the region doing it’s best to generate their own elecrtricity there would less need for the turbines. It wouldnt eleminate them just reduce them.
In the past this region hasn’t contribute any thing to the sercurity of the National grid, which produces our security of electricity supply. Ththis region is starting to contribute to the National grid to help the rest of the U.K. have a sercutiy of supply. Of course this could have been done with a more constant method of supply such as a traditional power station Power station.
By: Martin Bemment on June 24, 2011
at 8:46 am
Well verified facts on jobs: NG have stated 2 jobs for hub, both computer control technicians based in Shrewsbury. Windfarms – around 2 low grade jobs per 70 turbines; flying technical teams not based locally. Some concrete pourting and JCB digging jbs whilst windfarms / pylons are built; short term, unskilled, low wage. Pylon stringing is highly skilled and teams are brought in to do this. May be 1/2 day a week mowing grass around turbines jobs if anyone wants them. For every £50million spent on a wind (sorry subsidy)farm it is estimated £35 million leaves the UK to foreign investors / construction companies. Jobs lost ??? Spain lost 3 jobs in traditional industry and tourism for every one gained in wind. As you may have noticed Spain’s economy has collapsed.
Please spare us the ‘ we need the energy’ one. 600 turbines in Mid Wales = 200MW average energy output = 11% of a new gas fired power station and 5% of a new nuclear power station (I err on the generous side). Lets deal in facts please.
By: Jill Kibble on June 8, 2011
at 11:03 pm
WOW!!! What a day!
The protest day in Cardiff has to be the most successful culumative activity that the people of Montgomeryshire have ever done as a single group. Brilliant!! Well done to everyone who were prepared to give up their time and money to stand chanting on the Senedd steps and let the AM’s know how we feel about the proposals.
Perhaps the AM’s could return us the favour by coming to visit us and we would give them a crowd five times larger who would be prepared to show them the beauty of the Vyrnwy, Severn and Rae Valley’s and voice their disproval of the plans to destroy the landscape and the lives of the people who live here.
Myfanwy Alexander is our Queen Boadecia but she will not dine on poison or be defeated because we shall be alongside her and we shall defeat the tyrants!!
Go Montgomeryshire.
By: Tudor Jones on May 24, 2011
at 8:16 pm
The last thing we need are banner-waving yoghurt weavers shutting the door after the horse has bolted.
By: Jim on May 24, 2011
at 6:59 pm
Your reference to the Horse has bolted could not be more true. Dyfnant forest is under threat of 40plus 606′ turbines. The Scoping report is now with the IPC and Scottish Power have failed to note that the Rainbow Trails project lives in this forest. It is an Equine project but many walkers, with dogs, runners, huskey teams and local caravaners use this for their recreation. There are maps to guide you around the forest. Published by Forestry Commission.
I don’t know of anyone who would use this forest least of all ride or drive a horse around turbines. If you want to quote me the riding stables in Yorkshire – they received money from the developers.(Hush money or bribery whatever you want to call it). I have offered a member of the Scottish Power Team a carriage ride around a wind farm assuming they are well insured, he declided. Horse riders are told to get off the roads they are dangerous. We are going to be driven back onto the roads by so called Green energy The only thing I am sure of is there would be a lot of bolting horses.
By: Anne W-S on June 1, 2011
at 9:09 am
So much for majority rule. Looks like UK energy policy will be decided by a bunch of hippies eating sawdust and gravel risotto.
By: jim on June 1, 2011
at 7:43 pm
Having 784MW worth of power generation on your doorstep does not constitute a destruction of the landscape. Likewise, Heysham doesn’t need a nuclear power station, but there is one there. check http://www.bwea.com/ukwed/google.asp and you can see the distribution of wind farms in the UK. Health-wise, Powys already has Pylons and a 132kv connection. The goverment is committed to meeting its target of 15% of UK demand to be met by renewables in 2020. (see http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/what_we_do/uk_supply/energy_mix/renewable/res/res.aspx). As far as health risks are concerned, HV cables are only proven to be a risk if you leave very close (ie underneath). see http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/3440354/Electricity-pylons-could-increase-Alzheimers-risk-scientists-claim.html
There is no evidence of an effect on levels of tourism from building wind turbines or power lines.
The hub is required to step-up the voltage for long-distance transmission (as voltage drops over distance).
The traffic levels will not be increased on a long-term basis.
By: Ron on May 24, 2011
at 6:42 pm
>Having 784MW worth of power generation on your doorstep does not constitute a destruction of the landscape.
Please do provide us with the facts proving that this is undeniably the case as we would all be very interested in reading your sources or is it that this is simply your humble opinion?
By: MAP on May 26, 2011
at 8:31 am
Dear Ron, Please come and stand in the fields by us and look down at the Meifod valley then look again and imagine it full of pylons -then tell me me the landscape will be fine. Like many that are protesting my family have been on the land in mid wales for generations. If there were to be some jobs or some new economic benefits for Montgomeryshire then there may be a reason for doing this – but there is nothing. Time for local power generation, local renewables, local jobs.
By: Jane Vaughan Gronow on May 26, 2011
at 8:05 pm
local power generation won’t work on a national scale, which is what this project is for. No-one ever promised building windfarms would create local jobs. As far as the landscape is concerned, there is no reason to suggest it will be harmed by building additional wind turbines or pylons. The health issues are only proven in areas close to HV lines. The government is still commited to meeting its target of 15% of power generation from renewable sources by 2020.
By: Ron on June 1, 2011
at 2:12 pm
Ron, Powys does already have 132kv lines and the health problems associated with them: go to Abermule and ask the people there about cancer rates. perhaps there is some government target for that too? Montgomeryshire is already a net exporter of energy and because of our distance from major industrial users of power, is grossly unsuited to further large scale energy production. This scheme is merely a money making scam and anyone who really cares for the environment should look deeper into the turbine scam- they will discover rare earth metals for turbine gear boxes causing unspeakable pollution in China, the destruction of carbon sink blanket bogs in mid-Wales and other “dirty” power sources required for the back up when the wind does not blow
By: Myfanwy Alexander on May 31, 2011
at 12:21 am
I have long campaigned at the way Wales has been expected to generate so much electricity, which inevitably leads to the construction of unsightly pylons in order to take electricity over the Welsh border. In spite of what Assembly and National Government tell us, the demand for elecricity is falling. By my reckoning Wales will eventually be generating enough electricity for about 10,000,000 homes. When one considers that there are only 1.3 million homes in Wales, one can see that we are being fed a lot of hot air by those in power. As a protest group you have my wholehearted support.
By: Councillor John Tallamy on May 24, 2011
at 3:00 pm
22nd May 2011.
Dear Sirs,
I would like to tell you something very important.
Nearly EVERYBODY is against the pylons and said therefore NO.
I agree with saying NO but by saying NO I strongly believe that we have to have a solution.
Windmill technology on land is already out of date.
THE SOLUTION IS VERY SIMPLE
When we spend all the money which will be used for pylons and substations,
on my solution we are producing more electricity in Wales than we are using.
We have already the infrastructure for transport of electricity.
Now the SOLUTION; The solution is OPV. (Organic Photo Voltaic)
OPV is easy to install, lightweight and reasonable in price.
Payback time is about 5-6 years.
OPV can be fitted on nearly every roof and in any direction because it works on light and light alone.
OPV can be fitted on fragile roofs, flat roofs, asbestos roofs.
Think about all the roofs we have in our area, farms and factories.
They all can be a Solar / radiation farm.
Within 2 years I can deliver OPV that’s working 24/7.
And we are not spoiling the COUNTRY SITE because all the roofs are already there.
Some cables have to be upgraded but still nobody will see it.
Thank you for your time.
Yours sincerely,
Henk Niermans
Bryneos
Llanfair Caereinion
Powys
SY21 0DR
Tel; 01938 810656
E-mail hniermans@msn.com
http://www.Skyshades.co.uk
By: Henk Niermans on May 24, 2011
at 7:08 pm
I will be unable to be with you on Tuesday as my headteacher having sort advice from the powers that be wont allow me. I am gutted but my partner will be going and my daughter is coming up from Southampton in the middle of her first year uni exams. My two sons Aron and Dylan Gilbert James will also not be there as I cannot take them.
I cannot believe what is planned. It wrenches my heart every time i think about it. Every time i look at the beautiful view of every window in our newly built house – (we had planning in 2006 on local needs and got permission granted in a development area which now has proposed pylons going through it) a tear comes to my eye. Every morning as i drive to work from Aberhafesb to Newtown the morning WOW feeling at being the luckiest person alive to have such beauty surrounding me has been replaced by a deepening depression. The places i go walking and mountain biking are all under threat. Its like an alien invasion and its terrifying.
We probably have one of the lowest energy needs in the the UK and yet unfairly our still ness and beauty and lack of population has led the Welsh Government and Westminister and the National Grid to believe they can dump on us their monstrous experiments so the conurbations can continue to plough on regardless of the energy they use. Quite a lot of people in Montgomeryshire arent even connected to the National grid. who are the people who accepted the bribes to allow wind farms on their land? Are they prepared to put up their hands and share their new found wealth with their brothers and sisters who will lose property and land by compulsory purchase to this unforgivable proposal. WE werent ever planning on selling our house . it was going to be my 3 childrens inheritance but they have already said they wont want to live there and we will move . To be honest I feel so betrayed by the people i believed were put in power to protect Wales i feel like emigrating. However before that We as a family are prepared to fight to the bitter end.
Dewch CYMRY. I’r Gad. The dragon’s flames are burning.
MY heart and spirit will be with you all the way on Tuesday.
Debbie Gilbert , Aron Gilbert James , Dylan Gilbert James
By: MAP on May 23, 2011
at 12:06 pm
Neither my husband nor myself can be with you all on Tuesday – but as we carry on the protest back here in Abermule, Mid Wales, our thoughts and our spirits will be with you in Cardiff. MAKE ‘EM SIT UP AND LISTEN! MONTGOMERYSHIRE UNITED!
By: PAULINE ALBRECHT on May 23, 2011
at 6:04 pm
Another line to take? I have emailed National Grid along the lines below:-
I request that the consultation period be extended from the 20th June to the 9th September 11.
In your document ‘National Grid’s commitments when undertaking works in the UK’, on page 4 ‘Our Commitments, 2.Involving stakeholders and communities’ you state
” We will promote genuine and meaningful stakeholder and community engagement. We will meet and, where appropriate, exceed the statutory
requirements for consultation or engagement.”
– ‘communities’ you define as including ” those stakeholders ( organisations and individuals including residents) with a particular remit or interest in the local area affected by the works”
The stakeholders who have not been consulted about these proposals, and in the vast majority of cases who have no awareness or knowledge about these plans, are the many thousands of people who travel here from across Britain and abroad, to stay in their caravans, go camping, stay in B&Bs, hotels etc. Tourism is one of the major ‘industries’ in this tranquil, peaceful part of Britain.
To fulfill your remit for consulting all people affected and to give everyone the chance to respond to your plans, you need to include the summer/ summer holiday period. Presentations need to be given throughout this period.
These are the reasons that I request that the consultation period be extended to (at least ) the 9th September 11
By: Ingrid Maugham on May 21, 2011
at 4:58 pm
greetings from Merthyr Tydfil
just to tell you all that the group stayed with me at the Bellevue Troedyrhiw
they have all been fed and watered and ready for the last stage of the march
they will be following the Taff Trail From Merthyr Civic Centre
in to Cardiff we all wish them every success with their protest
Heather and all the regulars at the Bell xxx
By: heather wynne on May 23, 2011
at 7:51 am
If we make no impression in Cardiff, we need to revive the Free Wales Army !!
By: Tony R on May 20, 2011
at 11:46 pm
Last Sunday I went for a 70 mile bike ride, riding the Montgomery road to Shrewsbury, and then over to Montford and home along NCR81 to Welshpool, though some absolutely stunning, and very peaceful, countryside.
Make no mistake, that ride wont be the same with dirty great pylons stuck all over it, a fact that will not be missed by the many walkers and cyclists who visit the area for holidays, and who spend their money in our local economy.
I also notice we are not alone…… all along the Montgomery to Shrewsbury road, every village proudly displayed anti-pylon messages, and its clear we in Wales are not the only ones who do not wish to see our beautiful countryside raped and pillaged by the wind farm companies in collaboration with our wonderful Welsh Assembly.
We must stand together and beat them folks, for our sakes, and that of our children, and their children……..
By: Phil Walker on May 19, 2011
at 5:48 pm
Will some of the ‘protest’ placards be in Welsh? Might be a good idea…
By: Jane Jarvis on May 19, 2011
at 2:27 pm
Yes there will be, bilingual protest!
By: MAP on May 19, 2011
at 5:29 pm
Many thanks … and our Welsh teacher has helped, so we’ll bring along a banner, too.
By: Jane Jarvis on May 22, 2011
at 1:29 pm
at least somone on this site talks some sense. Love to see the way that some people are involved in all this for publicity or money making. takes the piss really.
By: jordan supporter on May 18, 2011
at 9:39 pm
It is such a shame that the uninformed, wholly selfish members of the population feel that they need to express their views with the ignorance they demonstrate in their comments.
By: PAULINE ALBRECHT on May 23, 2011
at 5:57 pm
I understand from Carl Yapp (Carl.Yapp@bbc.co.uk) that the B.B.C. will be filming the departure of the walkers to the Assembly from Welshpool tomorrow. I’m assuming you know this, but just in case….
By: janet saffron on May 18, 2011
at 2:36 pm
if you want electricity then shutup and let these pylons happen. go live in a cave or die.
By: jordan on May 18, 2011
at 1:21 pm
hi, i feel really upset that you have wrote this horrible comment on this site. i am very upset by this and will be informing the police about this
By: sam gregory on May 18, 2011
at 1:31 pm
hi jordan do you live in middletown, trewern, because if you do i do. im am against it and will be going down to cardiff to protest against these.
By: adam jenkins on May 18, 2011
at 1:37 pm
We’ll still have electricity regardless of whether these pylons occur or not. There are much more efficient ways of getting renewable electricity, such as tidal energy, which we have as an island have in abundance! For example the Severn Barrage proposals. Living in a cave, however, is a smart comment, as it would give you some protection against the leukemia the pylons could potentially cause!!
By: Sarah Corfield on May 18, 2011
at 1:39 pm
Powys for Pylons! All you haters are going to get cancer from lack of electricity which is a scientifically proven fact. Powys for Pylons! Got a problem? Take it up with me, Sam Gregory, the Pylon king!
By: Sam Gregory on May 18, 2011
at 9:25 pm
Sam the pylon king.If you love pylons so much we can have them all put close to you.You are talking rubbish.People a lot more educated than you have done studies to prove that emf from pylons does affect human health.END OF!
By: Andrew John Mason on May 19, 2011
at 1:33 pm
Hi Sam, it would be interesting to see if your parents had the same view as you and if you are planning on living in your local area in the future. If you don’t want to believe the scientific facts regarding the health dangers of pylons then thats your choice. The short term reality of blighting the rural areas in wales with Pylons will be a drop in house prices, a drop in the amount of people moving to the area from other areas which will in turn lead to a drop in the economic stability of the area.
With an area that already has an unstable economy as it is, the revenue that tourism brings in is vital and several hundred pylons for the benefit of a totally different economy is disgusting and you’re views are clearly very narrow minded and selfish, saying that everyone is entitled to their own views but whats the point in point in trying to have a dig at your local community about something which many of them are strongly passionate about?
By: Ben on May 19, 2011
at 5:26 pm
Why dont you live in a cave?Its power hungry england that is having the power.We already generate twice a much as we need.So, stick the wind farms & pylons in your area, not beautiful mid Wales.
By: Andrew John Mason on May 19, 2011
at 1:46 pm
When we talk about the windfarm containing 600 – 800 turbines, are we just talking about Strategic Search Area B? Thanks
By: Amanda Jenkins on May 13, 2011
at 8:55 pm
On TV tonight is a programme called Wind Farm Wars on BBC2 at 7pm. Very topical subject at the moment! Worth a watch I think.
By: Fran Gluck on May 13, 2011
at 11:45 am
Could someone let me know where I might see plans of both the proposed routes of the pylons and the positions of the turbines, other than local libraries? It’s a little difficult to see them where they have been lodged as I live in Norfolk.
Many thanks and best wishes in your campaign
Derek clarke
By: Derek Clarke on May 12, 2011
at 2:03 pm
google in – National Grid:Mid Wales connection project documents.
On a list, there is one that is View,( gives you OS map with overlays)
For turbine sites and routes to proposed sub stations –
spmidwalesconnections All routes to Abermule and Cefn Coch
By: Ingrid Maugham on May 13, 2011
at 8:48 pm
Ingrid,
I’m very grateful, thank you
By: derek clarke on May 17, 2011
at 2:48 pm
http://www.midwalesconnection.com/
By: Gary Swaine on May 14, 2011
at 7:49 pm
I would like to express my extreme concerns on the power proposals for Powys via the National grid & Scottish power.
My points of concern are listed below.
Andrew Mason
THE CONSULTATION EXERCISE
• The feedback forms are deliberately divisive
• Consultation flawed- maps too small to read, no large print for visually impaired, disabled & elderly not able to get to exhibitions.
• There are no tick box options for “none of the options are acceptable”
• The consultation exercise has commenced before National Grid has established the true costs of undergrounding the cables
• Only communities where the power lines will run have been consulted. Anyone going about their normal lives and passing through or by the corridor routes WILL be affected.
• National Grid and SP Manweb failed to provide sufficient information on their websites before the community consultation meetings commenced.
• The representatives manning the community consultation meetings are too few and unable to answer many of the questions posed to them by people attending the events.
• The community consultation meetings commenced even though SSE Renewables were not ready to attend the events.
• There have been no photos of the envisaged HUB at any of the meetings.
WIND FARMS
• Don’t save as much CO2 as suggested.Massive carbon footprint caused by excessive vehicles & digging out peat ground.
• 1 ton magnets inside each turbine are expensive & hazardous.
• Won’t prevent need for conventional backup
• Much higher electricity costs compared to convention power stations.
• Need conventional power stations to back them up for when the wind does not blow enough.
• Massive environmental visual impact, not considered by TAN 8
• Threat to tourism
• Costing UK government and electricity consumers billions of pounds in subsidies in times of government cut backs, rising inflation, and fuel poverty
• Will do little to address energy security problems
• Unfair burden on WALES (40% of landscape blighted by turbines, power lines and hub)
• Unacceptable number of abnormal loads and thousands of other highways movements over several years of construction
• Police resources will be stretched, 6 police riders need for each load. Loads can only be escorted in daylight hours.
• Reduction in property value, no compensation offered
• Removal of large areas of peat for ‘Olympic pool size’ foundations, up to 5metre deep will increase flooding issues downstream
• Gear oil in turbines not suitable, can catch fire.
• No public consultation was given before the Wind turbines were erected.
• Without massive financial subsidies wind turbines would not be viable.
• Threat to wildlife, cultural & environmental impact.
• Only 1.8GW maximum can be generated for sacrificing 40% of the Wales area.
• Most expensive way to generate power.
• More conventional power stations will be needto be built and running on standby to back up wind farms for when the wind doesn’t blow.
PYLONS
Only needed because of wind farms
• Massive environmental and visual impact, not considered by TAN 8
• Reluctance to underground. Nat Grid obligated to install cheapest cabling system.
• EMF health risks – precautionary approach is not being taken
• Threat to tourism, financial & visual impact, threat to economy of mid Wales
• Huge loss of power during transmission of electricity because of distance to UK supergrid
• Even greater losses of power along 132kV system that 400kV system per km length because of lower voltage
• Greater overall lengths of 132kV and 400kV lines because hub is not located close enough to the wind farms Strategic Search Areas
• Unacceptable volume of construction traffic. Business transportation will suffer from delays.
• Reduction in property value, no compensation offered
• Will cause disruption to Farmers in their fields.
• Trees will need to be removed & in turn reduce their C02 benefits.
• Wildlife will be disturbed from their natural habitat.
HUB
Only needed because of wind farms
• Visually obtrusive
• EMF health risks – precautionary approach is not being taken
• Hub at Abermule is too close to large residential community
• Transport issues have not been identified or addressed. How will the 250 tonne abnormal loads (transformer) get to the remote hills of Cefn Coch or to Abermule over a listed bridge and a hump backed railway bridge in Abermule?
• A new railway bridge for access to the hub site will cost £1000,s and cause massive rail & road disruption!
• Huge numbers of normal HGV movements during construction have not been identified.
• Cost of road repairs will be met by the tax payers / Powys County council.
• Reduction in property value, no compensation offered.
• Poor consultation – misrepresentation of the facts. (No photos of hub or pylons at Abermule Consultation) No opportunity to view alternative sites, removed from web site and not at exhibitions.
• Road/traffic disruption to local villages where hub is to be sited.
By: Andrew John Mason on May 11, 2011
at 3:38 pm
Many thanks Andrew, for putting it so succinctly and clearly!! That categorised summary is really useful for me.
By: Ingrid Maugham on May 13, 2011
at 8:54 pm
My pleasure!
By: Andrew John Mason on May 19, 2011
at 1:34 pm
Thank you for this, I shall use some or all of these in my various letters.
By: Marion Pearce on June 1, 2011
at 12:54 pm
I would like to urge everyone who opposes these plans to write to THE MANAGING DIRECTOR of Scottish Power to make their objections clear. Letters need to be sent by Recorded Delivery (second class is good enough). Sent that way they’ll have to be signed for, and if enough people send them, they’ll be swamped. I would also suggest that it may be possible for the Human Rights Act to be invoked in this case. The Pylons are going to ruin our quality of life, FOREVER, and under the European Human Rights act, everyone has rights to certain conditions, including quality of life. Never mind the upheaval that’ll be caused by all the roadworks that’ll need to be done to carry the loads that will need to be delivered. There’ll be no peace on the roads, with lorries going by 24 hours a day, and that’s just one art of it.
You need to take legal advice on this, but I reckon there’s a case. What they want to do to this area is unprecedented, the only way to fight them is on their terms, if they use the law on us, we’ve got to use it back on them.
GREAT SITE BY THE WAY.
By: Anonymous on May 10, 2011
at 7:32 pm
How do fancy £21 Million a year?
A word on Renewable Obligations Certificates. The current value of ROCs is £36.99. They are given at the rate of one per Megawatt hour of energy produced.
The profitability is crushingly simple. Take the proposal by Spanish company Iberdrola/Scottish Power, to install up to 65 four-megawatt turbines on the Dyfnant Forest. (This will of course destroy the forest and the surrounding area).
Each turbine, may manage a load factor of, say, 25%. There are 8760 hours in a year. Each turbine therefore is likely to produce over the year, some 8760 Megawatt hours of energy. Sounds good until you factor-in that you have no idea when you will get the energy, when you won’t and when it will provide energy when you don’t want it. (Electricity cannot be stored – certainly not in these quantities!)
Each turbine therefore will make 8760 x £37 = £324,120
PER YEAR; PER TURBINE GUARANTEED – and this is only ONE of the elements of the total subsidy that WE have to pay for.
£324,120 x 65 = £21,067,800 PER YEAR!
This, for a system that unbalances the grid; destroys the region; and for far more than 75% of the time will either not produce electricity when you want it, OR not produce enough when you do want it; OR will produce lots when you DON’T want it.
If someone offered you a tractor with this productivity profile, you might think twice! But not if you are Chris Huhne, David Cameron, David Miliband, whoever runs the Green Party (?), Janet Davidson AM., The Welsh NEW Labour Party; the Welsh Liberals; Plaid Cymru; and too many others, desperate to keep their jobs by acceding to anything the boss wants.
If this sort of cynical exploitation isn’t worth fighting against, nothing is.
By: Bob Trueman on May 9, 2011
at 8:08 am
Another theme that seems to have been explored very little, correct me if I’m wrong, Powys has very poor 999 ambulance response times due to its remote location and poor road infrastructure. The gridlock that will ensue with all the abnormal construction traffic will further lengthen response times, with the very real consequence that lives will be at risk.
By: Alun on May 8, 2011
at 10:11 am
I support everything your campaign is trying to achieve. Keep up the good work. Public meeting in Berriew Community Centre, Monday 2nd May, 7pm for anyone who wants to find out more and support the campaign against this instrusion into our lives.
By: Tudor Jones on April 29, 2011
at 8:40 am
Sorry, but this is all a load of nimbyism. Are you going to boycott electricity as a protest? There are far bigger things to worry about, like jobs being cut & the VAT rise making everything more expensive, plus the stupid NHS reforms over the border. What are the Tories in Montgomeryshire going to do about that? Oh yes, it’s down to them that things are going pearshaped in the first place. At least they backed down on the sale of the forests over the border.
By: Rosalinde Jenkins on May 7, 2011
at 5:11 pm
You havent got a clue have you rosa?Do a bit of research before you comment on us been nimbys.This is the BIGGIST project ever proposed for mid Wales & will devatate the area in terms of road chaos, job losses, tourism effects, business closing down,health riskes etc etc..
do a bit of googling i suggest?
By: Andrew John Mason on May 19, 2011
at 1:39 pm
Whats all the fuss about on here would much rather see a friendly pylon getting the green electricty around the local valleys than than some off the individuals that live in them. Happy camping cardiff crew!!
By: FLASH GORDON on May 18, 2011
at 9:21 pm
Like a pylon in your back yard then?I doubt it somehow.Look up the health hazards for them I suggest!
By: Andrew John Mason on May 19, 2011
at 1:40 pm
Flash – this is the problem really; The electricity is not actually green when you consider all the Carbon related factors rather than ignoring the ones that do not fit the profile. Secondly the electricity will not be supplying mid Wales as the pylons and cables will wind through our valleys to then link up and supply England.
By: MAP on May 26, 2011
at 8:57 am
Is it possible to have Jonathan’s email address or another contact for becoming more active in the campaign? Jan Westwood{Pont Robert}
By: Jan Westwood on April 28, 2011
at 11:27 am
To contact Jonathan or anyone else on the MAP Committee then do please use the personal email links found on our About Us page
By: MAP on May 26, 2011
at 8:59 am
I have tried to email you using the link on the first page of your site but the address comes back as ‘unknown’. Is there an alternative email I can use to contact you?
Thanks
By: John on April 26, 2011
at 4:17 pm
MontomeryshireAP@gmail.com is the main address or if you look on the about us page you will see all the email addresses.
By: admin on May 1, 2011
at 6:09 pm
Yes, I am from Kent! I have taken my holiday for many years in your fair contry. I rent a cottage in Llanfyllin. My wife and I were considering a holiday home in Powis but not any more.
I cannot believe this is happening. It is like a living nightmare. The National Grid web site has all these beautifully coloured maps showing “corridors” just like motorways scaring the country. They are choosing some of the most beautiful forests for the turbines. And all so businesses can profit. The demand is coming from a rapidly rising population. The power will go straight out into Shropshire and then into the cities to feed this demand because there is absolutely no control on the demand. The Welsh countryside will be desecrated and the end product will contribute a tiny abount. Future generations will look back and ask what the hell we thought we were doing.
By: Paul on April 24, 2011
at 5:40 am
Dear Paul from Kent please tell all your friends & get them to sign petition on conservation of upland Powys website.
Thanks
By: Sally Matthes on May 8, 2011
at 4:26 pm
im going to start a petition up to get these pylons. they look fanstastic and if we dont have this electricity we will live in the dark and you wont be able to go on your stupid computers like you are right now leaving comments on here.
By: jordan on May 18, 2011
at 1:25 pm
Another one who hasnt got clue.This “power” is for power hungry England not Wales.
Ever heard of the health risks associated with pylons? I doubt it somehow!
By: Andrew John Mason on May 19, 2011
at 1:42 pm
I am against the pylons because we do not need them.
When we spend all the money ‘they are willing to spend on the pylons’ on OPV = organic photovoltaic solar panels then we do not need the pylons.
Make every farm a solar farm and we do not see horizon polution and we are producing more energy then we need in Wales and the excisting power stations can deliver energy to the rest of the UK.
We also do not need Nuclear powerstations.
By: Henk Niermans on April 23, 2011
at 7:23 pm
To add further weight to the cause http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/04/07/wind_power_actually_25_per_cent/
Perhaps a link or an article written to the Reg will get much needed publicity. The Reg is a well read within the IT (Geek) community
By: Trevor on April 21, 2011
at 10:15 am
Thank you! It’s being updated all the time so please let us know if there’s anything missing, or anything you think that could be done better
By: Laura on April 20, 2011
at 4:25 pm
Hi, I am writing letters and emails like mad but cannot open any of your downloads pages! Can you re post prospective AM candidates e mail addresses?
Thanks
By: Louise on April 19, 2011
at 8:24 pm
With the elections now over a full list of the AM’s and their contact details can be found here – http://www.senedd.assemblywales.org/mgCommitteeMailingList.aspx?ID=0
By: MAP on May 26, 2011
at 9:01 am
We all need to do what we can to stop this monstrous vandalism of our beautiful countryside.
By: Ieuan Jones on April 17, 2011
at 6:31 pm
Hi Lindsy,
The like button can be found on the facebook page which is http://www.facebook.com/MontgomeryshireAP
By: Greg on April 17, 2011
at 1:39 pm
The fundemental problem wiyh all this is the subsidies that are received by the wind turbines. I t cost the bill payer over £32.50 per year just to have the wind farms
some links
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1361316/250bn-wind-power-industry-greatest-scam-age.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/energy/windpower/7061552/Wind-farm-subsidies-top-1-billion-a-year.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article3257728.ece
mrs clegg
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1285456/As-Nick-Cleggs-Spanish-wife-gets-job-Madrid-wind-farm-firm-targeting-Britain-man-pens-irate-letter.html
regards
Gary
By: Gary Swaine on April 16, 2011
at 8:54 pm
The current Consultation process is fundamentally flawed, and is heavily biassed infavour of the Project: it does not ask whether we want/need the windfarms, sub-stations and pylons, but asks rather where we want them. It is a thnly veiled attempt to confuse, and get people to say they want it all elsewhere than in their own area. We need to get themessage across that we DON’T WANT IT ANYWHERE, EVER. Windfarms are hugely inefficient, and their alleged benefits have never been demonstrated, let alone proved. Tan8 needs to be reviewed, and made the subject of a Public Consultation before anything else is considered. At present we are rushing headlong into unthinking compliance with yet another ill concieved EC Directive
By: Tony Stockton on April 16, 2011
at 9:06 am
I noticed,yesterday,signs in Meifod for a meeting on Monday between2 & 8.Is it next Monday or have I missed it?
By: mike groves on April 14, 2011
at 2:13 pm
Hello there
I supposrt your aims (I’m in Dolanog). However, with ever increasing demand for electricity from homes and businesses, how will Wales cope without the new system? Please give me an aswer so I can tell people about it!
Thanks
By: Natasha Coombs on April 14, 2011
at 11:25 am
Hi Natalie,
The plans for increased wind powered electricity generation will not benefit Welsh home owners or businesses. Wales already generates twice as much electricity as it consumes without the additional wind generation. See the article on this link http://www.walesbooks.com/blog/?x=entry%3Aentry100531-130023. Thank you for your support.
By: Joy Sisley on April 17, 2011
at 2:11 pm
Hi – the transformer and pylons in themselves are not required to provide energy to Mid Wales homes. we already have the infrastructure in place to do this and the new transformer will only take poer out of Mid Wales and to the National Grid.
Wind cannot provide the energy that the UK requires; it just makes a tiny contribution when the wind is blowing. By law National Gtid have to take energy from wind over and above all other sources when it is available so it totally destabilises the system and is a nightmare for workers at the Grid because of the unpredictability and unresponsiveness to demand patterns. NG are lobbying the government hard to reverse their policy on wind renewables.
Mid Wales has already done it’s bit on renewables. We have some 300 turbines and there can only be more if this massive infrastructure project goes ahead. The cost of this is totally disproportionate to the benefits: if the other 800 wind turbines in planning are built then Mid Wales will still only provide the energy equivalent to less than 10% of the new gas power station in Pembroke (and only this when the wind is blowing) and contribute less than 4% to the Welsh renewable energy target ! We will have to have the gas powered stations enyway to back up unreliable wind energy.The costs of ruining our envronment and countryside , lives and livelihoods ?? MADNESS
By: Jill Kibble on April 22, 2011
at 10:47 pm
The Government and big business should not be allowed to rail-road their plans to devistate the beautiful Vyrnwy valley without asking and listening to the feelings of the local community. Our opinions should be take priority and not the financial or political gains which the politicians and business giants disguise as progress.
By: Paul Preece on April 12, 2011
at 12:19 pm
Hello! would it be possible to have the Jonathan the chairman’s email address please. I have help to offer. Many thanks. Jim Read
By: Jim Read on April 11, 2011
at 11:24 am
To contact Jonathan or anyone else on the MAP Committee then do please use the personal email links found on our About Us webpage
By: MAP on May 26, 2011
at 9:03 am