Oswestry renewable energy park plans could 'scar' landscape and community for years to come, campaigner warns

Miles Hunter, owner of the Pen-y-Dyffryn Hotel in Rhydycroesau, near Oswestry, says he and the rest of the community "viciously object" to the proposals for the Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park, on land near Oswestry’s Old Racecourse at Rhydycroesau.

The developers behind the scheme, renewables firm Engena Limited, have submitted plans for one wind turbine, 2,588 solar panels assembled in rows of four panels deep, two containers for energy storage equipment, a substation and ancillary infrastructure. The energy park, covering 1.70 hectares of farmland, would provide electricity for more than 550 homes.

Mr Hunter said: "There are a number of issues with this application, one of the principle issues being the height of the turbine, it will be a massive blot on the landscape, as it will be visible from Oswestry Racecourse, the Ceiriog Valley, the Berwyns and even from the A5 coming from Shrewsbury.

"This will no doubt have a huge impact on tourism, and you have to remember the tourism industry in this part of Shropshire is fledging, it's still not established in this part of the county, and all of my custom comes from tourists, people coming here for short breaks and holidays.

"Last year we were awarded for having the best countryside views, people come here because of our beautiful, unspoilt countryside and that could be destroyed if these plans go ahead."

Mr Hunter said another issue that faces both tourists and local residents if the plans are approved, is major traffic disruption, because of the heavy goods vehicles travelling to and from the site.

He said: "The developers draft planning application to Powys Council estimates over 1,300 heavy goods vehicles in the first six months, with many exceptional loads, some over 30 metres long. Vehicles will also have to navigate through Oswestry town itself, so major traffic disruption is inevitable for road users."

Mr Hunter has criticised the "fragmented and disjointed" planning process, as the application for the energy park will be looked at by Powys County Council, while the supporting access and electricity infrastructure applications will go before Shropshire Council.

"It's a ludicrous situation that we're in but it's Powys Council that will determine the main application for the energy park itself. Yet it is the energy park that will have the biggest long-term impact on Shropshire residents and businesses, and under this disjointed planning framework Shropshire Council are only consultees on the main aspect of the project," he said.

In a bid to combat community and businesses concerns, Mr Hunter has launched a campaign group against the plans – Community Against Rhydycroesau Turbine and EnergyPark (CARTE).

He added: "I find it rather cynical that the developers are calling this a community energy park, it's rather ironic considering they have kept this plans a secret until recently. Also so far as we can ascertain, there will be little or no benefit to the community, just a hugely divisive proposal that will scar this landscape and community for years to come.

"The developers have stated in an email to me that the sole beneficiaries of the project will be the shareholders of the company."