Councillors urged not to challenge wind farm decision

Conwy County Borough Council is holding a special meeting on Wednesday January 7^th at 2pm, to request support for a legal challenge of the Government's decision.

Friends of the Earth Cymru has written to all Conwy County Borough Councillors stating that a judicial review should be avoided, as the wind farm will make an important contribution towards cutting emissions of climate-changing gases in Wales and will help meet renewable energy targets.

Director of Friends of the Earth Cymru, Gordon James, said: "We do not believe that Conwy Council should legally challenge the consent for the Gwynt y Môr wind farm for a number of reasons.

"Gwynt y Môr should be built as it will generate a tenth of Wales' electricity consumption and prevent the emission of two million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year. Climate change is the biggest threat we face this century and we have to be taking action now.

"Decision making powers for offshore wind farms above 1MW lie with the Westminster government. Although Friends of the Earth Cymru, along with many others, would like to see these decisions taken in Wales, the reality is that the Welsh Assembly government does not, as yet, have this power.

"A similar legal challenge last year by an English council against consent for an offshore wind farm failed, with the judge strongly rejecting the council's case¹. A similar process over Gwynt y Môr could end up with Conwy Council, and local tax payers, facing substantial legal costs.

"Although opponents of wind energy are very vocal, opinion polls consistently show that they are in a minority². Almost 5,000 letters supporting this wind farm have been collected by the Sustainable Energy Alliance with support from Friends of the Earth Cymru, and have been sent to the Minister for Energy and Climate Change.

"We do not believe that the wind farm will harm tourism. In a similar situation, the Council at Great Yarmouth has found that the wind farm just 3km from their shoreline has benefited tourism³."

NOTES

1. Summary of legal judgement: www.39essex.com/index.php?case_id=001477

2. The Sustainable Development Commission, in 'Wind Power: your questions answered', assessed more than 50 public opinion surveys carried out since 1991 and found that 80% of people were in favour of wind farms and 20% against

3. The offshore Scroby Sands wind farm is featured on the Great Yarmouth Council's tourism website: www.great-yarmouth.co.uk/

For further information please contact Friends of the Earth Cymru on 029 2022 9577