Micon plans rejected in Wales
Micon UK, partly owned subsidiary of the newly merged NEG Micon, is still considering its next move after its Parc Cynog wind farm application was rejected by Carmarthenshire County Council. What the company had expected to be a finely balanced vote in favour, turned into a resounding defeat after a number of councillors were unable to take part in the vote. Micon wants to erect six of its 600 kW turbines near Pendine in south west Wales. In February the planning committee voted "not to refuse" the application by a narrow margin of 19 votes to 17, contrary to advice from their officers who were concerned at its impact in a special landscape area. But the application had to be re-advertised since the decision was a departure from the local structure plan. However, around 11 land owning councillors were advised they should not take part in the second vote due to their "indirect pecuniary interest." Chris Morris from Micon claims the councillors' exclusion from the vote was nonsensical. "It's like saying people who have school age children cannot vote on educational issues, and homeowners should not vote on housing matters," he complains. "When it went back to the vote it crumbled because many of our supporters were told to declare an interest." The application was rejected 17 votes to seven. Morris says the company is now appraising the situation. "We have been seeking some legal advice. Now we have got to decide what we are going to do with it."