People power could halt onshore windfarms

Amber Rudd, the new energy secretary, has announced that residents will be able to block all future onshore windfarms under new measures to be fast-tracked into law.

The legislation, which Ms Rudd is hopeful will be law by the middle of next year, will ensure consent for new windfarms will have to be given by a local planning authority.

Currently, big onshore wind farms are handled by a central government national infrastructure body.

Meanwhile, no subsidies will be paid to operators of new onshore wind turbines under legislation to be included in the Queen's speech.

Glyn Davies, MP for Montgomeryshire, who has been opposed to the creation of windfarms in Mid Wales, said he was hoping to arrange a meeting with Ms Rudd to explain his stance.

Mr Davies said he would continue to fight against the Mid Wales Windfarm Inquiry.

Five proposed windfarms, which were the subject of a year long planning inquiry, are proposed to be built at Llandinam, Carnedd Wen, Llaithddu, Llanbrynmair and Llanbadarn Fynydd, but a decision has yet to be announced.

The inquiry also looked at the need for a high voltage pylon line linking into the National Grid at Lower Frankton near Ellesmere.

He said: "I have not spoken to Amber Rudd since her appointment. I need to have a discussion with her about the windfarm issues we are having in Mid Wales.

"Without the subsidies all onshore windfarms are dead.

"We do not need any more. The project in Mid Wales is outrageous. I will do everything we can to stop that plan and protect the future of our beautiful countryside."

Ms Rudd has said: "It (the legislation) will mean no more onshore windfarm subsidies and no more onshore windfarms without local community support.

"This is really important.

"I have already got my team working on it. That is going to be one of the first things we are going to do.

"I have put a rocket under the team to get it done, putting the local community back in charge.

"We are looking to do the primary legislation as soon as we can.

"Local planning authorities combined with no new subsidies will put local people in charge. There will be a much more accountable democratic process."

Former Environment Secretary, North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson, said he would be working with Mr Davies on the windfarm issue.

He said: "This is very good news and I will be discussing it with Glyn when I see him.

"I tried to get the subsidies stopped when I was in Defra but I was stopped by the Liberal Democrats."