§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she will take her decision on the application to build a windfarm at Cefn Croes, Ceredigion. [59159]
§ Mr. WilsonI have today decided to grant consent under section 36 and section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989 to Renewable Development Company's applications to build a 58.5 MW windfarm and associated overhead electric line at Cefn Croes, Ceredigion.
My decisions were only taken after extensive and thorough consideration of the representations received both for and against consent being granted.
The Secretary of State has not used her discretionary power to call a public inquiry because all parties have already taken the opportunity to inform her of their concerns. I am confident that Ministers have all the necessary information on which to take the decisions on the applications.
483WThe decisions also took into account the fact that the local planning authority, Ceredigion county council did not object to the applications subject to conditions being attached to the planning permissions and the company entering into an obligation to pay the costs of a land management scheme and decommissioning.
Copies of the press notice and decision letters are being placed in the Library of the House.