PLANS for a huge weather mast near a Powys beauty spot have been kicked down the line by Powys councillors.
The proposal for a 122.5 metre meteorological mast was back in front of the council’s Powys County Council’s planning committee on Thursday (June 27), after a previous bid was rejected in March – but a decision was deferred.
A fresh application for the mast by Esgair Galed Energy Park Limited was lodged by Bute Energy in April, and could precede a development of 220 metre high wind turbines.
Resident from nearby Dylife, Staylittle and Llwynygog are already campaigning against the windfarm proposal and 99 objections to the weather mast application were received by the council during the consultation process.
Planning officers again recommended that councillors approve the application.
Dr John Bimson told the meeting the mast could have an impact on local wildlife.
“Osprey should be a particular concern being a relatively new and scarce breeding species in Wales," he said.
“The proposed mast would be en route between Llyn Clywedog and Bugailun that ospreys are known to take.”
He said they could collide with masts, particularly with more flying to Powys from Africa who are unfamiliar with the landscape.
Rob Mitchell of Carney Sweeney the planning agents for Bute Energy said that seven similar applications for other weather mast had been approved by the council during the last five years.
He insisted it would not impact the landscape, where open moorland would "remain the defining character”.
He also pointed out that the company had resubmitted rather than appealed the plan, thus preventing additional costs, to the irritation of Cllr Jonathan Wilkinson who said: “I thought I was being slightly hectored and at one point even told off for the decision that was previously made.
“It’s not really for a developer to come to a Planning committee and imply that we should somehow be grateful that they didn’t appeal and pursue costs."
The decision was deferred to allow Natural Resources Wales to deliver its consultee comment on the plans.
The scheme, which was revealed in January, lies between Llanidloes, Machynlleth and Llanbrynmair.
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