Westminster statement exposes Conservative spin on wind energy

Plaid Cymru’s Assembly Member for the Mid and West region criticised the hypocrisy of Conservative AMs and MPs over their stance on wind energy. Simon Thomas AM was speaking after the UK Department for Energy and Climate Change released a statement outlining that irrespective of any Welsh planning guidance, it would be Westminster that determined the future of large scale wind farms in the region.

Simon Thomas AM said that while Conservatives have sought to portray the Assembly as being the body responsible for this development, and specifically its TAN 8 policy, it is now clear that all responsibility for this matter is reserved for Westminster.

Mr Thomas said the statement left no doubt that while Welsh Government policy will be considered it will not be a reason for approving or rejecting any application. The determining factor will be entirely down to the wishes of the Conservative and Lib Dems in Westminster. Simon Thomas AM said:

“What this statement from the Department of Energy and Climate Change makes clear is that it is the Westminster government, the Tories and Lib Dems, which is responsible for large scale wind farm developments in mid Wales. The UK government has, through this announcement; left no doubt that Welsh policy will have no bearing on the approval or rejection of wind farm developments.

“The UK government has totally exposed the hypocrisy of Conservative AMs and MPs who will now have to explain to their constituents why they have deliberately misled campaigners on this issue.

“Having been contacted by large numbers of people in the region I am very aware of the strength of feeling surrounding this issue. I am equally aware of the strength of disappointment that will felt that the local Conservative AM and MP have tried to dupe campaigners.

“The right course of action now would be for the Conservatives to accept their responsibility and engage with the community. If they do not wish to do that they should devolve the powers to Wales where we can take decisions over our own energy needs with community views at the heart of the process.”

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The appropriate section is on page 7-8 of the attached statement and states:

“Policy set out in existing planning guidance in England, and where a proposal is located in Wales in planning policy and advice issued by the Welsh Assembly Government relevant to renewables, will provide important information to applicants of nationally significant energy infrastructure projects (energy NSIPs). The IPC should have regard to these policies and expect applicants to have taken them into account when working up their proposals.

Applicants should explain in their applications to the IPC how their proposals fit with the guidance and support its targets or, alternatively, why they depart from them. Whether an application conforms to the guidance or the targets will not, in itself, be a reason for approving or rejecting the application.”