Wind farm plan attracts protest

Controversial plans for a wind farm high up on the Denbigh Moors in north Wales have been changed in an attempt to overcome planning objections.

The number and size of the proposed wind turbines have been cut after the original plan was thrown out by Conwy County councillors.

National Wind Power has now reduced the number of turbines from 28 to 26 and reduced the overall height of 92 metres by ten metres.

Denbighshire councillors will be asked on Wednesday to give their views on the latest application which involves the removal of the two most prominent turbines.

The option of an overhead line connecting the wind farm to the Manweb electricity system at Llansannan - which will be the subject of a separate application - has also been dropped.

Visual impact

But planning officials say that the visual impact of the turbines could still have an adverse effect on the local landscape, the National Park and the tourism industry.

They are worried about the potential impact on the Mynydd Hiraethog Site of Special Scientific Interest.

They say that the site would be particularly visible from the A543 Denbigh to Pentrefoelas Road from where the light grey turbines would clearly be seen against the spectacular distant backdrop of Snowdonia.

"The visual impact on the extensive and unspoiled upland of Denbigh Moor and on The National Park would be significant from this and other view points," a spokesman said.

National Wind Power has lodged an appeal against Conwy Council's refusal of the previous application last summer and it will result in a public inquiry unless the current application is approved.