P-06-1268 Review the process for pre-assessed status for onshore turbines, which unfairly disadvantages individuals

Petitions4

This petition was submitted by Non Davies, having collected a total of 515 signatures.

Text of Petition:                    

The current system unfairly favours developers who have access to legal, planning and financial expertise. Individuals / communities don’t have the equivalent support and resources. Decisions regarding wind energy turbines can devastate livelihoods and communities. The process must change to ensure all those potentially affected are informed at the outset of initial discussions, and are provided with free professional planning and legal advice and supported to be able to influence decisions.

Additional Information:

We feel bullied and intimidated. We understand that developers have already been negotiating for months with landowners with the intention of installing 250-metre-high turbines 700 metres from our door. We had not been informed of this and have learnt about this via a neighbour asked to sign a noise agreement.

Neither the Community Councils, county councillors nor regional politicians, whom we have contacted, were aware of the pre-assessed status given to this area, therefore paving the way for turbines to be installed. The planning process in relation to ‘Pre-Assessed Areas for Wind Energy’ shown in Future Wales: The National Plan 2040 has removed local decision making from within the planning process, therefore losing an important understanding of the local landscape, economy, cultural, linguistic and personal impact on a local community. Our livelihood, a glamping business which we have worked hard to develop over two lifetimes would be decimated and this is already negatively affecting our well-being as a family.

Shabby treatment – play fair!

Status

This petition was considered completed by the Petitions Committee at its meeting on 11/07/2022.

The Committee considered correspondence on the petition and given that the Welsh Government has been clear that it believes that the pre-assessed status does not disadvantage individuals, and we have also received assurance from the Minister that the guidance will be updated later this year, Members agreed to close the petition and thank the petitioner.

Full details of the consideration of this petition by the Committee and related documents can be seen on the Meetings tab above. It was first considered by the Petitions Committee on 09/05/2022.

Senedd Constituency and Region

• Clwyd West
• North Wales

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