On Friday 3rd of February Chris Davies MP held a public consultation meeting to discuss Powys County Council’s cabinet proposals over the Local Development Plan.
On a stormy Friday evening over 190 people from all over Brecon and Radnorshire packed Newbridge on Wye Community Centre to discuss the divisive proposals.
Chris Davies MP was joined by Cllr Aled Davies from Powys County Council, Ian Harrison from Montgomeryshire Against Pylons. As well as Peter Seaman and Margaret Tregear from The Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales.
The meeting was a-political and all speakers were speaking from an independent stance, outlining why they were opposed to the Council’s proposals.
Chris Davies MP opened the meeting and stated that he was not against renewable energy, but feels that the wind and solar farms being proposed are ill thought through and would not fit in in Brecon and Radnorshire. The Welsh Governments Local Development Proposals are being passed down to councils and they are trying to replicate Government policy. Chris encouraged all who oppose the proposals to contact their County Councillors are arrange a meeting with them.
Peter Seaman and Margaret Tregear from the CPRW discussed the poorly evidenced and non-democratic process. Focusing that they were not against green energy and claim marine energy is nearly there and will be far more effective. They said that SSSI’s have not been identified, also land owned by the National Trust hasn’t been considered.
Chris Davies MP will now be working with many of the attendees to set up a working focus group which may turn into a campaigning organisation against the council’s proposals if they go ahead.
Chris Davies MP said:
“The people of Powys are overwhelmingly against the proposals being put forward by Powys County Council. My party locally are totally opposed to the proposals and we are encouraged at the turnout at our meeting in Newbridge-on-Wye on Friday night.
On May the 4th the people of Brecon and Radnorshire have the opportunity to vote for their county councillors. In the run up I would encourage everyone concerned with the proposals to quiz and lobby their councillors to show the council just how strong our voice can be.
I would like to thank everyone that made the journey on Friday evening to attend our meeting. I am looking forward to working with many passionate local campaigners to set up a campaign group to oppose the LDP proposals if the Council decide to push ahead with them against the will of the people of Powys.”