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High Court throws out giant turbine plans opposite Dylan Thomas boathouse
Credit: Carmarthen Journal | February 19, 2015 | www.carmarthenjournal.co.uk ~~
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The family of poet Dylan Thomas has today (Thursday) won a legal battle to stop a giant wind turbine being built opposite his famous boathouse home in Laugharne.
Fans of the legendary hell-raising poet have been fighting a planning decision to have a 147ft-high turbine built facing the legendary writing shed where he wrote some of his most famous poems.
The poet’s granddaughter Hannah Ellis, 36, said it was “completely absurd” to build the giant eyesore near the popular tourist site in Laugharne, West Wales,
Campaigns refused to go gentle and launched a High Court battle to stop developers from ruining the “iconic view” which inspired the writer.
And a judge threw out plans to build the towering turbine opposite the writer’s famous home – preserving the site for future generations.
Jeff Towns said: “This is great news- I always thought it was a ridiculous and couldn’t believe it when the council passed it.
“The campaign against it was well organised and deserved to succeed.
“We are not against renewable energy but this view is one of the very special ones in Britain and is a great tourist attraction.
“It inspired one of the greatest poets of our time and has a cultural resonance throughout the World.”
Council officers gave permission to the turbine – but “failed” to view it from the spot where Dylan once sat looking across the Taf estuary and penned some of his most celebrated poems including Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night.
The plan was approved against the advice of the National Trust and a senior officer at Carmarthenshire council who said it would ruin the “iconic view”.
Outraged campaigners including members of the poet’s family slammed the development in the middle of the picturesque countryside at Mwche farm in Llansteffan.
Mrs Ellis said: “To imagine a wind turbine there is very upsetting.
“From a personal point of view I scattered mum’s ashes at the Boathouse. We put a bench there, we sit there and it’s my peaceful time.”
A judicial review in Cardiff was told councillors did not visit the boathouse before giving the project the green light.
The council claimed the turbine, 2km away from the writing shed, would be painted “off white” to blend in with the sky.
But Judge Andrew Gilbart QC told the hearing it was “impossible” to suggest it would not cause a significant impact on the landscape.
He found in favour of the campaigners and ordered the council to pay £21,275. The council can appeal.
Dylan’s Boathouse boasts wonderful views of the Taf estuary and the Gower, with egrets, lapwings, herons, oystercatchers, seals and otters all populating the area.
The author wrote poems including Over Sir John’s Hill and some of Under Milk Wood at the boat house.
Much of his work is said to be inspired by the wildlife and nature which surrounds the property.
The house is now a tea room and art gallery attracting thousands of visitors every year.
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