Guidance is being issued by Carmarthenshire planners ahead of expected applications to develop wind farms in the Brechfa Forest area.

At a meeting, the full council approved supplementary planning guidance on the issue.

Members discussed a report prepared by the Council’s Planning Services Section to help handle applications for major wind farm developments.

The issues considered in the guidance include the impact of wind farms on the landscape.

The Brechfa Forest area has been identified by the Welsh Assembly Government as an area suitable for major wind farm development in the period up to 2010.


The supplementary planning guidance is intended to encourage developers to design their proposals with maximum sympathy for the local environment.

Wind Farm Case Officer David Poulter said: "Major wind farm development will inevitably have a big impact on the landscape character of parts of the Brechfa Forest area. It will also have a visual impact when viewed from large parts of north Carmarthenshire.

"Major wind farm development, which involves large areas of land but which physically develops only a very small proportion of this, provides a unique opportunity to secure environmental benefits which, at least partially, offset the visual impact on more panoramic views.

"Land in the areas most suitable for wind farm development has the potential to be managed to enhance biodiversity, promote storage of carbon and conserve and enhance landscape features."

(CD/JM)