Tesco 'ignored residents' over Llanwern wind turbine

Tesco wants to build the two turbines either side of the large distribution depot at Euro Park Gwent to generate green electricity which will be used on site.

The two turbines would generate around 6570 mega watt hours every year, offsetting carbon dioxide emissions by almost 2,000 tonnes a year.

But councillors on the authority’s planning committee voted on Wednesday to visit the site of the proposed development to consider the impact the huge turbines would have on the surrounding area after concerns that the desires of community councils have been overlooked.

Although only 31 individual letters of objection have been received by Newport city council, four community councils in the area plus Monmouthshire county council have said they do not want the plans to go ahead, and Councillor Martin Kellaway said this could represent the objections of thousands of people.

Redwick, Goldcliff, Bishton and Magor with Undy community councils all expressed their objections to the plans, but Councillor Kellaway said only residents in Magor had been offered the opportunity to air their views at a public meeting.

Objections to the plans include the concerns turbines will obstruct the view of a largely rural flat landscape, the site neighbours both a conservation area and a site of special scientific interest, and serious worries about how the wind turbines will affect bats and birds.

Councillor Kellaway said: “The only people who are going to benefit from this are Tesco. Not Newport, not Llanwern, and not Wales.”

'Many consulted' - Tesco

A spokeswoman for Tesco said after the meeting that a large number of residents were consulted about the project through exhibition and leaflet drops, in line with advice provided by Newport city council.

The company added it would wait until the site visit had been completed before commenting further on the application.