Dilemma for wind farm critic

A company approached Mr Davies to put a wind farm on his land

A Tory AM has said he is facing a "huge personal problem" after a company approached him about placing a wind farm on his land in mid Wales.

Glyn Davies is openly critical of the Welsh Assembly Government's plans to build hundreds more turbines in Wales.

But the Mid and West Wales AM said he is leaving the decision over the wind farm on his land to planners.

The Welsh Assembly Government aims to source 10% of power from renewable energy by 2010.

Mr Davies said he did not know how to react when the company first contacted him about putting a wind farm on his land.

"My response to the approach by the company first of all was shock and deep embarrassment," he said.

"I must say it's give me a huge personal problem."

Plans for wind farms are causing controversy around the UK

He compared his dilemma to that being faced by people across Wales.

"On the one hand it's a beautiful landscape - it's always been a spot I love," he said.

"But there are a lot of other people involved - as well as three neighbouring farmers who have a huge number of family living in the area - and they're very keen it should go ahead.

"I've opted out and said that it's an issue for the planning authority."

Mr Davies, who said he would not be getting payment if the scheme goes ahead, added that he did not like the consultation plan the government put out on wind farms in July.

"I think the targets are too ambitious," he said.

"Another serious problem is that the government is giving up huge areas of Wales for wind technology."

In July, the assembly prepared a consultation document about where potential wind farms could be sited.

Seven large areas, from Denbigh Moors in the North to Glyncorrwg in the South, have been earmarked as suitable for substantial development.

Meanwhile, a campaign group is warning that wind turbines could ruin some of Wales' most beautiful landscapes.

The Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales (CPRW) is warning high densities of turbines could ruin large areas of the country.

In a letter to local authority officers, CPRW Director Peter Ogden has described the plan as "the gratuitous industrialisation of the upland landscapes of Wales".