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Welsh Government responds to rural windfarm protests Windfarm protestors welcome Welsh Government limit
(40 minutes later)
The Welsh Government has announced measures intended to limit windfarm developments in mid Wales. Opponents of windfarms have welcomed the Welsh Government's announcement to restrict developments in mid Wales.
First Minister Carwyn Jones said planning guidelines on the number of windfarms should in future be regarded by local councils as an upper limit. First Minister Carwyn Jones said planning guidelines on the number of windfarms should in future be regarded as an upper limit.
The Welsh Government wants the UK government to devolve powers over large-scale energy generation projects.The Welsh Government wants the UK government to devolve powers over large-scale energy generation projects.
Hundreds of people protested against electricity and wind energy plans in mid Wales outside the Senedd in May. Glyn Davies, Conservative MP for Montgomeryshire, said it was "hugely welcome news".
Politicians from the four main parties, including Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies, addressed crowds on the steps of the building. Hundreds of people took part in a demonstration on the steps of the Senedd in Cardiff Bay in May to voice their opposition to the proposed developments.
Dozens of pylons, some measuring 154ft (47m), and a substation are earmarked to connect with about 10 wind farms.Dozens of pylons, some measuring 154ft (47m), and a substation are earmarked to connect with about 10 wind farms.
Seven areas of mid and south Wales were chosen for the development of windfarms under a policy known as Tan 8 in 2005.Seven areas of mid and south Wales were chosen for the development of windfarms under a policy known as Tan 8 in 2005.
But the Welsh Government says the number of applications and declarations of interest from developers are higher than anticipated, leading to proposals for major overhead grid infrastructure.But the Welsh Government says the number of applications and declarations of interest from developers are higher than anticipated, leading to proposals for major overhead grid infrastructure.
'Unacceptable''Unacceptable'
In a statement on Friday, Mr Jones said: "The Welsh Government believes this level of development is unacceptable in view of its wider impacts on the local area."In a statement on Friday, Mr Jones said: "The Welsh Government believes this level of development is unacceptable in view of its wider impacts on the local area."
He said the Tan 8 "capacities should be regarded as upper limits".He said the Tan 8 "capacities should be regarded as upper limits".
Overall responsibility for large-scale energy generation rests with the UK Government.Overall responsibility for large-scale energy generation rests with the UK Government.
Mr Jones said he hoped the UK Government would "respect" his announcement and "not allow proliferation when they take decisions on individual projects in Wales".Mr Jones said he hoped the UK Government would "respect" his announcement and "not allow proliferation when they take decisions on individual projects in Wales".
He added: "My government would not support the construction of large pylons in mid Wales and my ministers are pressing this case with National Grid Transmission and with Ofgem.He added: "My government would not support the construction of large pylons in mid Wales and my ministers are pressing this case with National Grid Transmission and with Ofgem.
"This situation amply illustrates why consents for major energy infrastructure projects must be devolved to Wales."This situation amply illustrates why consents for major energy infrastructure projects must be devolved to Wales.
"We cannot accept a position where decisions made outside Wales will lead to inappropriate development for the people of Wales.""We cannot accept a position where decisions made outside Wales will lead to inappropriate development for the people of Wales."
He said he would raise the issue at a meeting of the British and Irish Council on Monday.He said he would raise the issue at a meeting of the British and Irish Council on Monday.
Officials said they had listened to the concerns of people in mid Wales where pylons could carry 400,000 volt electricity cables from north Powys to near Shrewsbury, Shropshire.Officials said they had listened to the concerns of people in mid Wales where pylons could carry 400,000 volt electricity cables from north Powys to near Shrewsbury, Shropshire.
Myfanwy Alexander, of Llanfair Caereinion, Powys, who helped organise last month's protest in Cardiff Bay, said the announcement was "very, very welcome".
"I also believe, in a way, it's not completely unexpected," she said.
"I don't think when Tan 8 was drawn up they had any idea, to use a cliche, they were opening a Pandora's box.
"They created a system sufficiently slack to allow vast multi-national companies to come in."
She added: "When we went down to Cardiff we were marching in the hope of making our voices heard and I think, in a way, we clearly have."
Glyn Davies, Conservative MP for Montgomeryshire, said: "For me it's hugely welcome news - it's all I could have hoped for.
"It's clear that the first minister and the Welsh Government have listened to the people of mid Wales.
"I have now all the ammunition I need to continue this fight in Westminster, and have sufficient encouragement to feel that the people of mid Wales are going to win this battle to protect our uplands."