Welshpool councillors reject windfarm cash
Councillors in a Mid Wales town have refused to accept money designed for community benefit from a windfarm developer saying they would feel "hypocrites" if they did.
Welshpool Town Council said it would not accept any money from West Coast Energy which plans to build the 12-turbine Tirgwynt windfarm near Carno and is asking for groups to come forward to submit applications for community projects which need a funding boost.
In addition, one member of the council, Councillor Steve Kaye said he wanted to tell West Coast Energy to "stick it where the sun doesn't shine" and likened the payments to "bribes". He said: "We all know where we stand on windfarms and they will not be bribing me with any money. You can stick it where the sun doesn't shine.
"I am fed up of the Montgomeryshire hills being desecrated by wind turbines and the lorries bringing the parts will destroy our towns. No, no, no. We will stick up for ourselves. I am happy to look any barrister in the face and tell him that we do not want them here."
West Coast Energy wants to donate £15,000 per year for as long as the wind turbines are running to local community council's, but Welshpool Town Council voted at its meeting yesterday to reject any offer of funding.
The report of the council's planning, development and environment committee said: "The committee recommends the town council rejects any offer of community benefit from this windfarm.
"If the council does not move forward with a trust the county council will set one up in some form instead."
