Serving the villages of Kerry, Sarn and Dolfor.
Minutes of an Emergency Meeting of Kerry Community Council
on Wednesday 16th November 2016 at 7.30pm in Kerry Village Hall.
Chair / Cllr. M. J. Collis (Sarn)
ee / Cllrs. / Cllr. D. P. Pryce (Kerry)
Cllr. D.I. Hughes. (Kerry)
Cllr. C. Seal. (Kerry)
Cllr. T.R. Jerman (Kerry)
Cllr. V. Wildish (Kerry)
Cllr. D. Jones (Kerry)
Cllr. O. Stanier (Sarn)
Cllr. P.A.M. Dyer (Sarn)
Cllr. I. Jones (Dolfor)
County Cllr. / County Cllr. Mrs K. Roberts-Jones
Clerk. / Mrs A. Feltham.
Members of the Public. / 0
Item. 1. Apologies.
Cllr. T. M. Powell (Dolfor) Cllr. M. Griffiths (Kerry)
Item 2.LDP Further Focussed Changes’
To discuss and respond to Powys County Council local search areas for wind and solar in Powys.
Following in depth discussion the following responses have been submitted to PCC and the Welsh Government Inspector.
Introductorily letter
Kerry Community Council wishes to oppose most strongly the aspects of the proposed Local Development plan that relate to renewable energy.
The council has already responded to the LDP and, because at first sight, the consultation document appears to propose “no changes” within the ward, KCC offered no comment. In recent days however and as a result of prompting by other interested parties, the council has investigated further and has found that the plan proposes major increases to the areas within Powys to be opened up to renewable energy projects. To discover this involved careful reading of very large documents. We feel that this information had been deliberately buried in a huge document in order to discourage objections.
Local Development Plans should be written by local councils, in full consultation with local people, who are going to live with the consequences. There has been no public consultation on these renewable energy proposals. A major plan like this should have been the subject of public announcements, roadshows, studies of impacts and open meetings. Consultation is a legal requirement and in failing to publicise the details of the plan Powys County Council is failing in its duty. It is disgraceful that the details have only become apparent a week or so before consultation closes.
Kerry Community Council reminds the elected members of Powys County Council of their vote to oppose the development of wind farms that resulted in the Con-joined Public Enquiry and calls for them to reject these energy proposals until sufficient local consultation has been carried out. Although officers may argue that a substantial time frame has been allowed for Council to make comment this is negated by the time it took for the true nature of these changes came to light. Indeed our County Councillor has only recently been made aware of these energy proposals.
As a result of these discoveries KCC called an emergency meeting in which it was resolved to submit the several objections to the changes proposed to wind and solar search areas which are attached as requested.
Disproportional Demand on Powys.
Powys already has more than its fair share of TAN 8 search areas. Furthermore we understand that Powys already generates around 50% of its own energy needs - from renewable resources.
Extension of consultation period.
The timescale since the discovery of the true nature of the proposals is insufficient for full consideration and so we demand an extension of several weeks to the consultation period.
Welfare of Future Generations.
There has been little or no consideration to the potential long term detrimental effects on the environment and the resulting problems we may bequeath future generations. This is in direct opposition to the intent of the Welfare of Future Generations Act.
The impact on Landscape.
KCC is very concerned about the visual damage to the landscape of Powys that would be occasioned by an increase in the number of wind turbines. It is worth noting that the landscape quality of upland Powys is very high and was slated for inclusion in the now abandoned @Cambrian Mountains National Park”
We are also concerned about the impact of the large concrete substructures needed to support the wind turbines. These will surely affect upland hydrology and could well increase run off with subsequent increased danger of flooding in lower lying areas.
Increased power generation will inevitably result in a demand for electricity distribution infrastructure. We oppose further pylons and substations.
Similar argument applies for solar parks. They have the potential for very significant degradation of the visual landscape and will generate similar needs for distribution infrastructure. The effect of the shading of the ground surface by solar panels is unknown, however by reducing the growth of plants in the area they must have an an impact on the natural flora and fauna of the area.
PowysLDP Objectives.
The proposed changes are in direct opposition to the stated objectives of the LDP because they provide no safeguard for the assets of the county namely the landscape, wildlife and archaeological and historical sites.
Local Energy Needs.
600MW is not proportional to local needs.
Proposed extensions to the original Tan 8 are extreme and there has been no public consultation on the newly proposed Solar power.
Public Consultation to Solar Parks.
In the past Kerry Community Council has surveyed local residents’ views on wind farms and so in making these representations we are truly reflecting the views of the residents of our ward. We do not know their views on solar parks, but their concerns regarding increasing the need for pylons for a grid connection and the visual damage leading to an impact on tourism will surely apply equally to wind and solar developments.
Tourism.
Tourists value the unspoilt landscape of Powys.
Degradation of the Powys landscape by more wind farms and solar parks, will de-value the very asset that draws tourists to our area. Tourism is a crucial and primary source of income for many people in the area and the loss of income and employment to all branches of the industry would be far reaching.
PCC’s Response to Mr J. Griffiths A.M. letter.
The letter from Mr John Griffiths A.M. requests that County Councils CONSIDER additional energy proposals, it does not REQUIRE them to adopt them.
The Clerk was requested to copy in Glyn Davies MP, Russell George AM, Chris Davies MP,
Kirsty Williams AM. and the editor of the County Times.
The Clerk wishes to thank Cllr. D. Hughes for all his help in the compilation of this response.
Item 3.. Any Other Urgent Business.
It was requested that the future of the public toilet block in Kerry and the road markings at The Square in Kerry be added to the November meeting.
Finances.
Payment was made to British Gas, V Wildish and Fight Bladder Cancer. (Full details in the mins for 30th November 2016.)
There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.00pm
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