3/12/2008

Local Plaid Cymru AM for Aberconwy, Gareth Jones, has described the decision by the Westminster Labour Government to approve the construction of the huge Gwynt y Mor
windfarm, off the coast of Llandudno and Colwyn Bay, as a slap in the face and an affront to the democratically-expressed wishes of the people of Wales.

And Conservative Shadow Environment Minister Darren
Millar AM said: "This is devastating news."

Gareth Jones said today: "This extraordinary decision by the Westminster Labour Government in London flies in
the face of the democratically-expressed wishes of the people of Wales who have been wholly ignored by a London Minister who I dare say has not even been here to witness the visual impact for himself.

"It's a slap in the face and an affront to the Welsh Assembly Government, Conwy County Borough Council and the Town Councils of Llandudno and Colwyn Bay, all of whom have stated that this proposal should go to a public inquiry, where all the
pros and cons could be aired."

Cllr Phil Edwards, Mayor of Colwyn Bay and Plaid's Westminster candidate for Aberconwy said: "We were prepared to put up with the smaller Rhyl Flats scheme, albeit extremely reluctantly, but Gwynt y Môr is a different matter.

"There are too many turbines, too tall and too close to our shoreline. It could have been built much further out to sea where the visual impact would be nil.

"We don't have much in this constituency in the way of industry, but what we do have is a stunning natural landscape which forms the basis for our fragile tourist economy and the thousands of jobs it supports -
all that is now under threat by the industrialisation of our shoreline."

Gareth Jones added that he would be asking urgent questions to Ministers in the Welsh Assembly Government this afternoon.

Conservative Shadow Environment Minister Darren
Millar AM said: "This is devastating news. So much for Rhodri Morgan's promise of a public inquiry.

"People have campaigned long and hard for proper consideration of the impact of this large scale industrial development off the coast of some of one the most beautiful
parts of the country.

"The scale of the Gwynt y Mor development cannot be overstated. The 250 turbines will be visible for many miles around. It will have significant consequences for the
seascape of North Wales, especially when you consider the impact of the existing wind farms off the coast which are already in place or under construction.

"Rhodri Morgan gave a clear commitment to hold a public inquiry in April last year.

"Welsh Conservatives are committed to increasing the generation and use of renewable energy in Wales.

"That said, we do not think the scale and impact of this particular development is the right way to achieve it.

"Instead the Assembly and UK Governments should be promoting the rapid commercial development of marine technologies which harness the reliable power of the currents
and tides."