9. Debate: How do we achieve a low carbon energy system for Wales?

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:41 pm on 20 November 2018.

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Photo of Darren Millar Darren Millar Conservative 6:41, 20 November 2018

I just want to speak very briefly in respect of the amendment that has been tabled by the Welsh Conservatives in respect of the Hendy windfarm. The Cabinet Secretary will be aware that she made a very similar decision to this earlier this year in respect of a windfarm application in my own constituency, in the Denbigh moors area, the Pant y Maen windfarm, which was subject to a planning application that was submitted to Denbighshire County Council. That application was refused, an appeal was made to the Welsh Government, and the inspectorate then produced a report that recommended refusal—very strongly recommended refusal. Other Welsh Government-sponsored bodies, including Cadw, also objected to the development on the basis that it would impact on the view from nearby Bronze Age barrows and burial mounds, and that it would have a devastating impact on the landscape of the nearby Clwydian range area of outstanding natural beauty as well. And yet, for some reason, the Welsh Government—or the Welsh Minister—decided that her view was different to that of the inspector, different to that of the local authority and, unfortunately, this windfarm is now going to be developed.

I appreciate the point that Llyr Gruffydd made about the need for a national strategy perspective from the Welsh Government from time to time on issues that are significant, but this is a very small windfarm that is being developed, just seven turbines—just seven individual turbines. It's not huge at all. You could hardly say that seven turbines individually are of strategic importance nationally in the same way that Wylfa Newydd or a much more sizeable offshore windfarm, like the Gwynt y Môr windfarm, might be. So I am concerned that this is riding roughshod, frankly, over local democracy.

I think that the people in the area of the Hendy windfarm are facing now precisely the same sort of scenario. I don't think that it's appropriate and I think we need a planning system that is much more balanced and much more reflective of local people's views. So I would urge the Welsh Government to look again at the Hendy windfarm decision. We've already had one wrong, what we don't want are two, three, four, five or many others in the future. Let's get this right, let's sort the balance in the system out, so that we can have some confidence in it going forward. [Interruption.] I'll take the intervention.