ALL-S4-POE-03

The Mid () Conjoined Public Inquiry into 5 Windfarm Proposals and a 132kV overhead Electric Line Connection

Session Four Alliance Proof of Evidence Alison Davies Community Consultation

Alliance Proof of Evidence – Session 4 – Community Consultation I am Alison Davies. I have lived in for 41 years and have worked in Wales for 38 years. I am married to a bilingual Welsh farmer and have two adult sons who are both bilingual. We farm in the parish of . I have over seventeen years of practical experience of community and environmental third sector organisations and social enterprises, and many years of volunteering, backed by experience of developing and managing three successful businesses; I am a partner in the family farm and work for a consultancy that works both nationally and internationally. I specialise in: monitoring and evaluation, business development, facilitation, organisational learning and development, rural development, ecosystem goods and services, community development. I am an experienced researcher, specialising in qualitative information. I took an active role in setting up the first Local Records Centre in Wales as well as other voluntary and statutory environmental initiatives throughout Wales. I am founding Director / Trustee and Vice Chairman of a grant making trust, which distributes funds to the voluntary sector for environmental work. I helped form, and am now Chairman of Conservation of Upland Powys with over 650 members.

This statement is made on behalf of the Alliance.

The Alliance wishes to make the case that the fundamental character of , its residents and visitors is dependent upon the natural environment. Change to that environment not only affects near neighbours but also the culture and economy of the area because of the impact upon that natural environment, both on wildlife and landscape. These three are interwoven factors, and reliant upon Mid Wales’ social capital, financial capital and natural capital. It is this ecosystem that allows us to function in a robust and sustainable society

1. Introduction

1.1 Consultation by developers has been a cause for concern for twenty years; locally and nationally there is strong feeling that it is little more than a tick box exercise lacking any robust evidence to support claims. This became apparent in the 1990s and Conservation of Upland Montgomeryshire (predecessor to CUP) undertook a confidential house to house survey of everyone whose home was within 1.5 miles of

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Alliance Proof of Evidence – Session 4 – Community Consultation Mynydd yr Hendre windfarm proposal1. This survey received more than 98% response rate and gave 74.5% against windfarm development. This was of particular note as it included all of those within the research area, so included all of the families with a pecuniary interest. In April 2011 a petition was initiated by CUP and with the help of 100 volunteers who manned stalls, in shifts, in Newtown and for the whole of one Saturday, gathered more than 17,000 signatures with names and addresses. This petition was presented at the Senedd in May 2011 when approximately 1,500 people protested there regarding the proposals for mid Wales. At that time there was no facility for electronic petitions to the Assembly.

For that reason the Alliance undertook this consultation.

1.2 During one week in July the Alliance ran consultation stalls for a total of ten hours in Newtown and Welshpool to find out what people valued in Mid Wales. In Newtown the stall was held in Bear Lanes on Tuesday 9th July, market day, whilst in Welshpool the stalls were held on Friday 12th July and Saturday 13th July. In total 260 people were consulted. Tables with pin boards were set up along with a map of Mid Wales and slips for further comments. Fourteen volunteers were given guidance and support prior to the events and also at the stalls.

1.3 Passers-by were invited to participate in consultation concerning their use of the countryside for recreational purposes, to give information and their opinions by sticking pins in boards as well as by making written comments. When someone was unable to write their comment it was written by one of the volunteers and read back to ensure it was exactly as stated.

1 The site of this application became Cwmllwyd and later Tir Gwynt (approved August 2010). 3

Alliance Proof of Evidence – Session 4 – Community Consultation 2. The process

2.1 Volunteers were instructed not to enter into discussions about windfarms and to explain the purpose of the consultation clearly to ensure a robust and fair process. They worked in small teams, and the following email was sent to volunteers beforehand:

Attached to this email you will see a set of sheets. All but 3 of these will be pinned to cork boards and people will be able to respond to questions by sticking pins into the correct spaces. 2 of the sheets will be cut into slips so that people can make comments and pop them into the box provided. One sheet is for people to write on. There will be a map of the area which they will stick a numbered pin in to mark where they like to go, and then write on the sheet to describe their activity.

You will have two folding but sturdy tables, three pin boards, a box for comments paper slips and pens.

I (Alison Davies) will be there at about (…) to help take the stall down and take everything away.

The important factor in what you are doing, as you will see, from the questions, is that this must be open and information gathering. We have to make sure that we haven’t pushed people into making certain responses. This must not be an anti wind stall, but a real consultation. Remember that this has been one of our complaints about the developers – they don’t consult.

Everything you gather will be produced as evidence, so it’s important that people write in their own words – they will all be reported to the Inspector.

When you invite people to take part say something like, “We’d like to know what you think about mid Wales. Have you a few minutes? You just stick a few pins in a board.”

Invite everyone to take part and guide / help them. Some people can’t read that well and others are hesitant to get started.

2.2 No emails or communication informing of dates, or location of the stalls was sent to Alliance contacts as it was imperative that the results should not be skewed by orchestrated participation. 4

Alliance Proof of Evidence – Session 4 – Community Consultation 3. Age

3.1 Participants were invited to stick a pin in the board in the relevant age group and gender. The team invited as many as possible to take part thus, selection was made only on opportunity to speak to the people and that they had five minutes to spare to take part.

3.2 It was expected that there would be fewer school-aged participants on Tuesday and Friday than on the Saturday; however, a number of teenagers were in town over the lunch hour and chose to take part. All ages were invited, and those who found difficulty in reading the questions were offered support to enable them to participate.

under 10 Figure 1: Age 3%

11 - 20 12% over 60 36%

21 - 40 20%

41 - 59 28%

• The age distribution within each gender was similar

• 15% of participants were under 20

• 48% were aged 21 – 59

• 36% were aged 60 and over; many are still economically active.

4. Location of home

4.1 Participants were asked about the location of their home so that we understood whether their response was that of someone who lived permanently within the project area, or further afield.

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Alliance Proof of Evidence – Session 4 – Community Consultation Figure 2: Where do you live? Overseas 4%

Elsewhere in UK 17%

Shropshire 5% Elsewhere in Wales Mid Wales 2% 72%

• 77% live in Shropshire and Mid Wales

• 23% were visitors to the area from other parts of Wales, the UK and overseas, despite much of this event being held during the week and in term time; unsurprising as mid Wales tourism is the largest industry.

5. Term of residency

5.1 There has been much made of the assumption that local people are content to see windfarms in mid Wales, and that it is ‘new-comers’ who object and want the countryside ‘preserved in aspic’.

5.2 We wanted to find out how long the participants had lived in the project area and whether the value people put on their local environment was different if they had recently moved to Mid Wales; so those who had responded that this was their home location were asked:

If you live in Mid Wales or Shropshire, how long have you or your family lived here?

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Alliance Proof of Evidence – Session 4 – Community Consultation Figure 3: If you live in Mid wales or Shropshire, how long have you, Less than 10 or your family lived here? years 17%

More than 2 generations 29% 11 - 25 years 31% 26 - 50 years 23%

• 17% had lived in the area for 10 years or less

• 52% had lived in the area for over 25 years

• 83% had lived in the area for 11 years or more

6. Value of heritage and landscape

6.1 Positive responses were given by 98% of participants to the question: Do you value the heritage and landscape of Mid Wales?

6.2 Those who answered positively were then asked: What aspects [of the heritage and landscape are of most interest or value to you? Again they were able to respond by sticking pins in a board, determining whether an aspect was of high or medium value. ‘No value’ was not included, as those who did not value the heritage or landscape did not need to respond to this question.

6.3 The results showed that most people put a high value on wildlife and it also had the greatest score of medium and high together. Dark skies and open spaces also scored highly.

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Alliance Proof of Evidence – Session 4 – Community Consultation Figure 4: Which aspects of Heritage and Landscape are of most interest or value to you? 250

200

150

100 Medium Value 50 High Value 0 Wildlife Ancienthistory Medievalperiod world TheUplands and Ffridd Buildingsand architecture The Valleys and Lowlands TheValleys Darkwideskies / open spaces Historylandscapeof and thenatural Most people selected

• Wildlife and

• Dark skies and open spaces

With

• Valleys and lowlands,

• Buildings and Architecture,

• History of landscape and the natural world,

• Uplands and Ffridd,

• Ancient history, all demonstrating a high level of interest although it was evident that the first two (wildlife, and dark skies and open spaces) were of greater value to the majority of participants. 8

Alliance Proof of Evidence – Session 4 – Community Consultation 7. What activities people undertake

7.1 We wanted to learn more about what people actually do, because we are aware that it is easy to express an interest, but we needed to know what part the countryside plays in people’s lives; do they actually know it and enjoy it, or just like knowing it’s there, should they ever venture over the doorstep.

Figure 5: What activities do you do in the countryside? 160 140 Occasionally 120 Frequently 100 80 60 40 20 0 Water Sports Water countryside Countrydrives events Walking in open Walking events Wildlifewatching sitesgardens Countryfield / sports Walking trails and paths Walking Visit historic buildings or Visit Cycling/mountain biking Visit local orcultural craft Visit Visit agricultural shows or Visit Outdoorpursuitsactivities /

7.2 Walking in open countryside is most popular, with 108 people identifying it as an activity they undertake frequently whilst a further 39 walk in open countryside occasionally. This means that:

• 57% of respondents enjoy walking in the open countryside of mid Wales,

• 50% enjoy walking on trails and paths.

This is of particular importance as the Open Access land is the land proposed for more windfarms.

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Alliance Proof of Evidence – Session 4 – Community Consultation Other popular activities include:

• Country drives (54%), which of course rely upon seeing beautiful views,

• Wildlife watching (53%).

• Visiting local craft and cultural events (52%),

• Attending agricultural shows (42%),

• Visiting historic buildings, sites and gardens (43%)

The latter two points show activities that play a significant part in how participants spend their leisure but as these are generally only available in the tourist season the scores reflect this.

7.3 From the responses we received it is evident that participants see the natural and cultural aspects of mid Wales to be of particular interest and gain pleasure from actively engaging with the locality and its natural and cultural heritage.

8. Maps

8.1 We invited participants to stick a numbered pin flag into an Ordnance Survey Map of the project area, identifying the places they most like to visit. Using the corresponding number they wrote, in their own words, what they particularly liked about the place and why it was special to the.

For example:

“The area above Felindre – Our home – we love the (current) peace and quiet & don’t feel the need (currently) to go elsewhere.”

“Rare Jewel, unspoiled landscape, wildlife & friendly people”

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Alliance Proof of Evidence – Session 4 – Community Consultation Figure 6: Google map showing pins

8.2 Verbatim responses are in the appendix; the analysis follows:

Figure 7: What activities do you do in the countryside? 160 Occasionally 140 Frequently 120

100

80

60

40

20

0 Water Sports Water Countrydrives events events Wildlifewatching gardens Countryfield / sports Walking trails and paths Walking Cycling/mountain biking Visit local orcultural craft Visit Visit agricultural shows or Visit Outdoorpursuitsactivities / Walking in open countryside Walking Visit historic buildings orsites Visit

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Alliance Proof of Evidence – Session 4 – Community Consultation 9. Employment

9.1 We then asked some questions about employment: If you work in Mid Wales, Do you work in any of the following industries?

• Agriculture

• Forestry

• Nature Conservation

• Environmental Education

• Environmental Protection

• Tourism

• Other environmental industry

9.2 These industries were selected because the Valuing Our Environment report 2001 - 2006 showed that 117,665 FTE jobs are supported by the natural environment and the management and enjoyment of the Welsh environment generates goods and services worth £8.8 billion per annum, equivalent to almost 9% of the GDP and 10% of wages earned in Wales.2

Figure 8: If you work in Mid Wales, Do you work in any of the following industries?

Other Environmental industry Agriculture 17% 28%

Tourism Forestry 26% Nature 3% Conservation 12%

Environmental Environmental Protection Education 6% 8%

2 http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/Wales%20valuing%20full_tcm9-133036.pdf 12

Alliance Proof of Evidence – Session 4 – Community Consultation 9.3 Of those who were working and responded

• 32% work in or rely upon the industries listed

• 26% work in tourism

• 28% work in agriculture

• 10% said that their work is connected to or reliant upon those industries.

A barber stated that her business would not be able to be maintained without the number of clients she had who were visitors.

9.4 We asked whether any members of the respondents’ immediate family worked in any of the industries listed and a further 18% responded positively.

9.5 We also asked: Do you or any of your immediate family work in the wind industry?

Of those who responded less than 2% worked in the wind industry.

10. Verbatim comments

10.1 We provided flyers with two questions:

Is there anything that would spoil your enjoyment of Mid Wales countryside?

and

Would this affect what you do?

10.2 Verbatim responses are appended, but one example follows:

Development i.e. housing and ugly wind farms.

Yes, I love walking & running off road.

10.3 To ensure that we consulted fairly we also offered slips for further comments.

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Alliance Proof of Evidence – Session 4 – Community Consultation 10.4 All these slips were dropped into a consultation box on the stall; later they were collated and typed up verbatim and are appended; an example follows:

Mid Wales is under threat of losing its identity as one of the most beautiful and unspoilt areas of G.B. once these areas of sublime beauty disappears they are gone forever. Shame on government to ear-mark area spread of wind farms.

11. Conclusion

11.1 The Alliance has undertaken this consultation exercise because no real consultation has been undertaken by any of the developers. It has been apparent for many years, and during this Inquiry, that there is limited understanding of Mid Wales, its environment and culture. The consultation was very well received with a real desire to participate and a willingness to spend time giving information because the participants were told that all information would be presented to the Inquiry. The majority of those participating are unlikely to attend any part of the Conjoined Inquiry; however this does not mean they don’t care. This Consultation shows that they do care very much.

• 52% of the participants have lived in the area for more than one generation and more than 29% for more than 2 generations.

• Mid Wales’ natural and cultural environment is valued by its people; in particular the importance of wildlife, dark skies and wide open spaces is seen as being of great value.

• Of the people we met tourism is the main employer.

• Only 6 people said that either they or a member of their family worked in the wind industry; notable as this area is said to be significant by the wind industry.

• When asked why they visit a specific place that is important to them participants used their own words. The most popular were:

o Views and scenic beauty (84)

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Alliance Proof of Evidence – Session 4 – Community Consultation o Peaceful and tranquil (26)

o Natural history (25)

o Wales (25)

11.2 This is, we believe, the first and only consultation offered to the people of mid Wales to find out what they value and how they choose to spend their time at work and leisure. Most of those who took part have never set foot into any part of the Public Inquiry and appear to be a good cross section of our society.

11.3 The results of this piece of work demonstrate clearly that visitors and residents (regardless of how long they have been associated with Mid Wales) value the wildlife and the opportunity to get out into open spaces and appreciate dark skies and tranquillity; this is a rare commodity as can be seen in the satellite image below where mid Wales is shown to be one of the last remaining areas of dark skies.

Figure 9: Satellite photo of and Wales showing dark skies.

11.4 It is evident that the further construction of windfarms and associated works will change Mid Wales and all of the aspects that are valued by the people will be lost or severely diminished. 15

Alliance Proof of Evidence – Session 4 – Community Consultation APPENDICES:

1. Places you visit:

Stall date Pin Place name Reason & Number location

Welshpool 12.7.2013 48 Newtown Shopping 8, 24 Newtown Shopping 47 Reservoir Lovely day out, picnic, views lovely 13 Gregynog peaceful,tranquil, scenic 101 country sports 17 Beauty 10 natural history 103 Valley history, beauty 46 Cefn Coch Picturesque 52 Montgomery lovely place 105 Hafren forest car rally 21 Meifod valley natural beauty 50 Belan beauty, peace & quiet 59 Powis views and the items inside are nice to look at. 23 quiet enjoyment 38 route from N'town to views Llan'dod 55 Tan-y- ffridd peace, lovely views 60 Dyfryn hill peace, lovely views 31 Broniarth peace, lovely views 5 larks singing 16 Llanfair Caereinion Caravanning 27 Llanrheader waterfall beauty of spot 35, 45 Lake Vyrnwy views, quiet, wildlife

56 Llanfair Caereinion Family 29 Lake Vyrnwy Wildlife 106 Vyrnwy lake & valleys just stunning scenery 22 Kerry ridgeway beautiful scenery+ views 36 Meifod & valley to beautiful scenery+ views Llan'fraid 42 Welshpool & surroundings no where else in the world like it Welshpool 13.7. 2013 35 Tyn-y-Byrwdd above Tranquil, beautiful, panoramic views B4385 @ Cwm Golau 34 Llanrheader waterfall peaceful, scenic 4 Cefn Coch/Foel Fawr beautiful, peaceful, wildlife & views 38 My sanctuary, my home away from hustle & bustle 16

Alliance Proof of Evidence – Session 4 – Community Consultation 40 Montgomery Tower Hill Views 36 Llanrheader waterfall Beautifil in all weathers Welshpool Was lovely, now spoilt by closing shops & one way system 106 Bryntail Peace, nature, history 19 Clywedog Peaceful 54 & surroundings nice places to walk 59 Lake Vyrnwy views and drive 5 Montgomery Interesting town 47 Lake Vyrnwy Beautiful 58 Vyrnwy Beautiful, unspoilt but accessible 20 Welshpool Enjoy Canals 105 Vyrnwy Beautiful 2 Lake Vyrnwy For the walking and scenery 51 Elan Valley Outstanding 23 Meifod Valley most picturesque valley of mid Wales 108 Neuadd Bridge caravan Visiting Caravan park 107 2 Guided Historical Walks 109 I like because it is a very historical place 32 Lake Vyrnwy Such a beautiful, restful place 27 Welshpool Beautiful 15 Red Kite Centre Lovely big birds 56 Elan Valley Never been to a more beautiful area, wildlife etc 43 Welshpool Lived here all my life 60 Lake Vyrnwy 16 windfarm Wildlife, nice walks, great views 6 BrynTitli Windfarm Wildlife, nice walks, great views 55 Lake Vyrnwy Walking & days out & Views and Cycling 46 Gregynog Gardens 44 Lake Vyrnwy Scenery 26 Elan Valley Peace and quiet/ unspoilt/ beautiful 107 Montgomery Castle 24 Where I live 53 to Dinas Beautiful landscape 10 Lake Vyrnwy 33 Welshpool I live there 7 Lake Vyrnwy Because its so beautiful 17 Welshpool I like it here and try to make most of canal etc. Lovely area 8 Lake Vyrnwy Beautiful 21 River Severn Pretty 49 Montgomery Its quaint 110 Ridgeway Love the walking and views here 13 Lake Vyrnwy Scenery, walking, riding bike 50 Dinas Walking 14 Lake Vyrnwy Because of the lake and scenery 103 Lake Vyrnwy lake and scenery 101 Lake Vyrnwy nice scenery 57 Lake Vyrnwy Beautiful scenery

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Alliance Proof of Evidence – Session 4 – Community Consultation 59 Carmel Great place, easy access to Wales 29 Mynydd Waen Fawr Unspoilt countryside, birds nesting, lovely walks 102 Mynydd Waen Fawr Unspoilt countryside, birds nesting, lovely walks 101 Welshpool Nice countryside, good walks 25 Cefn Coch Nice countryside, good walks 5 Lake Vyrnwy good walking, views, countryside, wildlife, 12 Lake Vyrnwy Walking, wildlife, 45 Clywedog dam walking, camping 3 Lake Vyrnwy walking, scenery 48 Lake Vyrnwy walking nice countryside 30 Big Forest cycle & walks, scenery 40 /canal walk the canal to welshpool 28 Welshpool lovely place to visit, lovely town, nice walks. 31 Powis Castle the view/ history 39 Elan Valley Beautiful, walks, & bikes 37 Elan Valley Beautiful, walks, & bikes Newtown 9.7.2013 1 Area above Felindre Our home - We love the (currently) peace & quiet, don't feel the need (currently!) to go elsewhere 28 Hafren Forest Good accessability Beautiful area 14 Newtown Just passing through on way to Swindon (live in Netherlands) 29 Marches Pool Great place to swim and sleep out 4 Drive from Llani - Just a Beautiful Drive and time of year. Clywedog - Aberdovey We live in one the most beautiful area in the World, and I am well travelled 101 Montgomery Canal Local trail I use for running 110 Gregynog Hall Used for walks. Beautiful area 9 MONTGOMERY WALKS GOOD MEAL AND BLACKBERRY PICKING 34 Nice laid back atmospher Riverside 27 SOURCE OF SEVERN INTEREST 48 SOURCE OF RIVER GREAT INTEREST SEVERN 30 Newtown I LIVE HERE AND LOVE IT 32 Hafren Forest INTEREST 24 WALTON, KINGTON VISIT FOR HOLIDAYS AND LOVE THE AREA 17 Clochfarn Historic House 12 Elan Valley Because of the Lakes and Scenery 58 , Forge Road Scenery 57 Up on the hills Clywedog Open space & beautiful big wide views... Peaceful 38 Clywedog NICE PEACEFUL OPEN WATER & VIEWS 54 Source of River Severn Wonderful! Challenging! 42 Llanfair Caereinion BEAUTIFUL AREA UNSPOILT 18

Alliance Proof of Evidence – Session 4 – Community Consultation 15 Elan Valley WIDE OPEN SPACE. LOVELY VIEWS 18 GREGYNOG HISTORY: BEAUTIFUL GARDENS 11 HAFREN FOREST WALKING 46 26 Penarth Newtown Wildlife Warden for M.W.T Love Cake Great Oak - Cake 16 NEWTOWN & WELSHPOOL HISTORY 10 LLANIDLOES DAMS Driving all around Powys and Valleys 62 22 Montgomery (Castle) Walking. 49 Newtown Canal Walking. Llanidloes Walking - Nature trail Clywedog 40 GLOG BURROWS HISTORY 45 Llanwdden It beautiful place to like 48 Cycle trails I love riding my bike 56 Its home and where my family all are 47 Carno Where our daughter and family all live 39 Stayed in a lovely cottage to enjoy walks & countryside 59 Kerry to Dolfor Road Excellent views across Newtown to Bryn Bank 61 REDWOODS LEIGHTON UNIQUE UNDISCOVERED 55 LLANIDLOES CARAVAN 6 CLYWEDOG DAM BEAUTIFUL SCENERY 51 Llanwnog BEAUTIFUL SCENERY 20 CLYWEDOG DAM MEMORIES 36 Clywedog Wildness 33 Clywedog Lot of water 60 Clywedog Scenery, Peace & Quiet 50 Waen Home 52 CLYWEDOG DAMS SCENERY 3 GREGYNOG WALKING 21 Peace and quiet... History and scenery 16 Elan Valley Beautiful scenery Peace and Tranquility 70 Elan Valley Lovely Place Beautiful views 2 Carno 31 Familey lie here plus good walk ways for hiking 41 Bethel Family 35 BETHEL SCENERY WILDLIFE 43 Various areas in Mid Scenery, birds, Peace and quiet. General Wales, Elan Valley etc. beauty of the area 53 Very friendly. Beautiful views from Dams and surrounding areas 25 Garreg Hir Beautiful mountain and lakes 37 We love living in Newtown. We love the foot paths in Newtown It is a fab place to be 8 Montgomery Rare Jewel, unspoiled landscape, wildlife & friendly people 37 NEWTOWN Good shopping 39 Free access to countryside 5 Moel y Golfa Rodney's Pillar

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Alliance Proof of Evidence – Session 4 – Community Consultation

2. Threats and whether they would affect future decisions:

Stall Is there anything that would spoil date & your enjoyment of Mid Wales Would this affect what you location countryside? do?

Welshpool 12.7.2013 Too many windfarms and pylons would No affect the natural beauty Windfarms, pylons, pollution I would no longer bring Italian tourists here Pylons No Pylons, Sub Station Windmills Too much comercialisation It would spoil my enjoyment of the countryside Pylons. Last countryside ruined forever Windfarms spoils the views No Urbanisation affect community spirit / Feel of local community Windfarms Too many people. Cutting down trees. Can't move house, so not much I Pylons spoiling views. More heavy could do to change it. lorries. Pylons. Windfarms Go out less often Windfarms A little bit of litter in the river at Better without it Llangllen Wind Turbines & Pylons yes spoil the idillic views & countryside Windturbine/farm Development This possible Development would desecrate views & I would no longer wish to tour area. Development no but makes us less happy Welshpool 13.7.2013 Wind farms, pylons, hub anyone Yes in every aspect of my and coming near my home to do with such my family's lives. Windfarms Yes, It would affect the traffic flow The industrialization of the countryside Yes!! Mid-Wales will lose its soul. by wind farms and the spread of single May even force me to move. turbines. Wind farms / pylons Yes. - Give up caravan WINDMILLS / PYLONS It would affect my life generally! Wind farms Spoil the view from our property. It would go down in value and we may not be able to sell. 20

Alliance Proof of Evidence – Session 4 – Community Consultation Wind farms Spoils scenery. Would change my views on the area. I have a static caravan at Carmel. Wind Farms. Yes. Windfarms, pylons, lorries, business, Yes. I would move industry. Pylons & wind farms. Going for walks Yes. No peace and no more near my home, and the view being beautiful views ruined. Industrial development planned by Highly likely as I work in food & windfarms really worries me, as the toursm. landscape in which I live & work is intrinsic to the quality of my life. The windfarms Overdevelopment Yes Windfarms Yes / wouldn't visit PYLONS & WINDFARMS! Effect my family's daily life, health, jobs, stress, fear, anger, upset. Newtown 9.7.2013 Windfarms Eventually stop coming. Ruining landscape. Traffic lights Bypass No Wind farms wales Yes spoiling wildlife & views Disruption of the views of the No countryside e.g. Pylons Very restricted access to cycle trails, I would not walk, cycle, kayak rivers & footpaths where not permitted Don't change anything! Closing of walkways Yes Development ie housing and ugly wind Yes, I love walking & running off farms road. Wind turbines and pylons - totally Yes!! unnecessary and ineffective - a blot on the landscape Windfarms & main roads Uncontrolled building / quarrying / Destroy environment posters Electrical pylon will affect the freedom of activities like walks WINDFARMS it would spoil everything about Mid Wales Litter Yes Wind farms No Windfarms /pylons Windmills Spoils our country side Nothing at all No Wind farms & pylons. Yes, the scenery. Pylons Yes

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Alliance Proof of Evidence – Session 4 – Community Consultation Windfarms & pylons Would totally destroy our home, and the whole of the (currently) wonderful & peaceful environment of Mid-Wales pylons Pylons & wind turbines yes - spoilt. Windmills, housing developments. Scenery, waste of public money. Pylons and windmills all over our Yes - Tourism would die and the panoramic views whole area would be spoilt.

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Alliance Proof of Evidence – Session 4 – Community Consultation 3. Further Comments:

Stall date & location Comments Welshpool 12.7.2013 Welshpool is visited as a lovely traditional market town, which is being spoilt by shops being allowed to paint their exteriors in vivid colours. Things should be kept like Lilly Mo's number 14, Bistro 7, the Vintage Café, Harry's and the like. Mid wales is under threat of losing its identity as one of the most beautiful and unspoilt areas of G.B. once these areas of subline beauty disppears they are gone forever. Shame on government to ear-mark area spread of wind farms. Fantastic steam railways Keep town traditional with paints and shop fronts. Victorian market town as was. (Take a look at Montgomery Spar) Wind Farms/ Do not spoil the countryside and pylons are not just because of them. A fantastic idea. Thank you for finding out about our beautiful area Welshpool 13.7.2013 We are interested in all aspects concerning our beautiful countryside. Wales have natural beauty, yes a few windmills farms are fine, but groups of large quantity will spoilt the landscape. There needs to be investment in innovative industry to help the local economy & jobs If we are burdened with windfarms - I would try to move but wouldn't be able to. No one wants a house with a view over an industrial landscape. Windfarms do not save CO2 if you do a whole-life price - all that concrete that needs to be made, metal mined and transported & peat bog dug up. Solar panels on houses better - infrastructure already there, more jobs, less of an eyesore Hope the countryside will not be ruined by the wind turbines as Welshpool has been ruined by the one way system The transport and construction phase is a major concern, the impact on all aspects of our lives has not been evaluated. It is proposed that it will take up to 8 years. Newtown 9.7.2013 It's a great place to grow old! I moved here 5 months ago for the open country and uninterrupted views! Keep Powys as it is. Unspoilt. The Plan to ruin our Countryside is a big mistake. Wind energy on shore is proven not to work, the disruption to our beautiful landscape is criminal. Birds are being killed by turbine blades and that is a fact! Windfarms are a total rip-off - they will not save the world but they will totally destroy Mid-Wales, just so that landowners and the wind industry can make themselves loads of money

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Alliance Proof of Evidence – Session 4 – Community Consultation