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Opposition to Porthcawl offshore windfarm ‘premature and unfair’ 29/10/2002
Local opposition to the proposed 30 turbine offshore windfarm at Porthcawl is premature and could have damaging implications, say Friends of the Earth Cymru. The group, founded in Porthcawl in 1984, has expressed its disappointment that debate in the town "has been driven by ignorance and scaremongering".
The environmental campaigners say that the outcome of detailed studies should be awaited before minds are made up. The group points to the "scaremongering" about the windfarm being generated by local protesters which is very similar to that against onshore windfarms.
Friends of the Earth Cymru say that if the current modelling and studies indicated that surf on Porthcawl's beaches would be significantly reduced then that would certainly count against the scheme. Yet, the turbines would be over three miles offshore and initial studies suggest no impact either positive or negative.
The campaigners argue that if there are no significant negative impacts to surf or birds then the scheme should go ahead. The group dismisses as "baseless" suggestions by Porthcawl SOS, the windfarm opposition group, that the wind turbines would be noisy.
Friends of the Earth Cymru also points to studies which suggest that as many or more people may find the windfarm attractive as those who say that it would be visually damaging.
The proposed turbine site on Scarweather Sands about 4 miles off Porthcawl is one of 18 sites around the UK proposed in the first tranche of offshore windfarms.
Julian Rosser, Head of Campaigns at Friends of the Earth Cymru, first joined Friends of the Earth in Porthcawl in 1989.
He commented, "It is tragic that debate in Porthcawl has been so dominated by misinformation and baseless rumour. Locally, it seems it has been left to the group Sustainable Wales to give people real information about wind energy while some local politicians are simply jumping on the anti-wind bandwagon.
"Surely, yet another bout of severe weather this weekend should make people think about the costs to us all of global warming? We all have a responsibilty to tackle this problem and renewable energy must be the way ahead for Wales. Climate Change will do far more harm to Porthcawl than a windfarm ever could. In fact, a windfarm at this site could boost tourism in the resort as people come to view it. It could also create much needed jobs which would help diversify the economy in the area.
"We can understand the concern of local residents and this application should be dealt with in a fair, open and transparent way which allows all to have their say. Unfortunately, members of Porthcawl SOS are twisting the public debate without offering any alternatives.
"The UK Government is poised to order a new round of nuclear power stations for the UK. If we fail to support the use of renewables in Wales then we will be facing plans for nuclear expansion once again. This is not an empty threat - it is the real political situation as it is unfolding.
"Porthcawl should be a vibrant town, rich in forward thinking and environmental activism. It is sad to such a negative attitude to clean energy coming to the fore. We appeal to the people of Porthcawl, and the whole area, to judge this proposal on its merits and find out more about the benefits of wind energy rather than knee-jerking us all into a nuclear future."
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