Montgomeryshire AM, Russell George, has criticised Powys County Council over the lack of public consultation about a 34 metre high wind turbine planned on a hill above Newtown, Powys.
A planning application has been submitted for the single turbine on land at Bryn Farm near Bryn Lane which overlooks the town.
“I’m very concerned that plans for such a large turbine in such a conspicuous position above Newtown have not gone out to wider consultation,” said Mr George.
“It will be positioned overlooking the town and visible for miles around and yet the plans have been limited to standard planning notices which means a single planning notice has to be put up near to the site.
“The wider community, residents and businesses have not necessarily been alerted to the application and they need to be aware.”
Mr George has urged residents to check the plans which are available at the county council’s planning website at www.powys.gov.uk.
He has also written to Cllr Rosemarie Harris, Powys County Council’s Cabinet member responsible for planning, who has said the plans are not significant enough to go to wider consultation.
The application for the wind turbine has been made by a Glasgow-based company, Urban Wind Ltd.
County Councillor Peter Harris, whose ward covers the area where the application has been made, said: “Residents and businesses in the town and surrounding area should take a look at these plans and submit comments to the planning department.”
