MS Urges Welsh Government to Listen to Communities Over Proposed North Wales Wind Turbine Developments

Janet Finch-Saunders MS has called on the Welsh Government to ensure residents’ concerns are fully considered over proposed wind turbine developments at Mynydd Tryfan and other rural Welsh sites.

Concerns over the future of renewable energy developments in rural North Wales have intensified after Janet Finch-Saunders MS called on the Welsh Government to ensure local communities have a meaningful voice in the planning process for proposed wind turbine sites.

The Senedd Member for Bangor Conwy Môn has written to the Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy, Adam Price MS, urging him to ensure that residents’ concerns are fully taken into account following proposals to construct wind turbines on Mynydd Tryfan.

The proposed development has prompted significant debate among local communities, with residents expressing concerns over the potential impact on the surrounding landscape, noise levels, nearby homes and farms, as well as the overall planning process.

Janet Finch-Saunders has asked the Welsh Government to explain how these concerns will be assessed and what measures will be taken to ensure local people are properly consulted throughout the decision-making process.

The intervention comes as communities across North Wales continue to face a growing number of renewable energy proposals, with many residents questioning the cumulative impact of multiple large-scale infrastructure projects on the region’s rural environment.

Alongside concerns surrounding Mynydd Tryfan, residents in neighbouring communities including Llansannan and Llanfair Talhaiarn have also raised objections to further proposed developments, fearing additional pressure on local landscapes and infrastructure.

Campaigners argue that while renewable energy is essential to achieving Wales’ net zero ambitions, developments must be carefully balanced against the needs of rural communities, agricultural businesses and the natural environment.

Janet Finch-Saunders believes the wider picture should be considered when assessing applications, rather than examining each proposal individually without recognising their combined impact.

Commenting on the issue, Janet Finch-Saunders, Senedd Member for Bangor Conwy Môn, said:

“I have been contacted by many residents who are deeply concerned about these proposals, and I believe it is important that their voices are heard. While renewable energy has an important role to play in helping Wales meet its environmental ambitions, that should not come at the expense of local communities or our unique rural landscape.

“Many residents feel that they are facing wave after wave of major infrastructure proposals. Communities such as Llansannan and Llanfair Talhaiarn are already concerned about the impact of Mynydd Tryfan and other proposed developments, and it is only right that the cumulative effect on our rural areas is properly assessed rather that considering each application in isolation.

“This is why I have I have written to the Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy, Adam Price MS, seeking assurances that residents’ concerns will be fully considered as part of the planning process. We must strike the right balance between delivering renewable energy and protecting the character of our countryside and ensuring that local people have confidence that their views genuinely matter.”

The debate reflects a wider challenge facing Wales as it seeks to expand renewable energy generation while maintaining public confidence in the planning system. Wind energy remains a key part of the Welsh Government’s strategy to reduce carbon emissions and improve energy security, but proposals for new developments frequently generate strong local interest where landscapes, farming communities and tourism are likely to be affected.

For businesses across North Wales, the outcome of these discussions could have significant implications. Renewable energy investment has the potential to create jobs and support regional economic growth, but developers and policymakers increasingly face calls to demonstrate how projects will minimise environmental impacts and respond to the concerns of those living closest to proposed sites.

As the planning process continues, residents, local authorities and developers will be watching closely to see how the Welsh Government balances its renewable energy ambitions with the interests of the communities expected to host future infrastructure.