Wales: An ill wind

Rotating turbine blades as far as the eye can see

Plans to build an offshore wind farm have stirred controversy in Porthcawl. The Politics Show looks at the issues behind the debate.

Simon Tucker lives for the surf. Four times British surf champion, he has honed his skills on the waves of Rest Bay at Porthcawl.

He says plans to build an off shore wind farm a few miles from the Welsh coast would be a disaster for the area.

Spoilt views?

Newton Bay, Porthcawl

"This is an industrialisation of the sea. People come to Porthcawl for the beautiful views. Imagine what 30 wind turbines, bigger than the Statue of Liberty, would look like a few miles off the coast here", says Simon.

His concerns are shared by many of the town's residents. A campaign group, calling themselves SOS Porthcawl has been set up. Over the past three months over 6,000 people in the town have signed a petition opposing the development.

Largest windfarm on the planet

The case for the windfarm is full of holes

Gary Victor

Local businessman Gary Victor is one of the campaign co-ordinators. He says that the views of the people of Porthcawl are being ignored by the politicians.

"The case for the windfarm is full of holes. It would ruin tourism here. I feel that this is a carve up at the top".

He says the proposed off shore windfarm would be the largest in the world covering 2,500 acres of sea bed, and would be twice the size of Porthcawl itself.

But not everyone agrees the development would be a bad thing. Local environmentalist, Margaret Minhinnick, is in favour of the initiative even though she admits that the debate locally hasn't been well informed.

Benefits not made clear

She says that the company behind the proposal, United Utilities, hasn't done enough to tell the local community about the benefits of the scheme to Porthcawl.

A representative of United Utilities will meet with Margaret Minhinnick this week, with the aim of improving communication.

The National Assembly government, which has the final say on whether the plan gets the go ahead, says that people have until 7 March 2003 to submit their views on the scheme. In April the Assembly government will decide whether the plan can go ahead, or whether a public inquiry is needed.

We want your views

The Politics Show Wales wants to hear your views on offshore wind farms. You can call us on 0845 3009010, or e-mail us on [e-mail]. Or write to: The Politics Show, Room 1060, BBC Wales, Llandaff, Cardiff. CF5 2YO

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