MORE wind farms were being planned for mid Wales conservationists warned last night. The news came as placard-waving protesters held a roadside demo while lorries began moving giant turbines to a new wind farm near Welshpool in Powys. Protesters said they raise objections and protests to the plans to prevent every hillside in the region being covered in turbines. Welshpool-based businessman Dan Munford said: "The situation is akin to a goldrush with many plans for turbines coming in. It is only now that the people of mid Wales realise the implications of Tan8 (Welsh Assembly guidelines for windfarms) for the region. "There doesn't seem to be a great deal we can do about it through the normal channels. But we will do our best to object to these plans." Mr Munford spoke as about 20 activists - representing campaign groups in mid and North Wales - took part in the protest to highlight their opposition to wind farm developments. Seventeen turbines are being erected on Mynydd Clogau in hills near Welshpool as part of an £11m scheme. Hertfordshire-based RES Developments says the turbines will generate electricity for more than 8,700 homes, but opponents say the turbines will be a blot on the landscape. The latest proposals are being put forward by RES Developments and EHN UK. EHN is seeking permission to build a single 47-metre-high mast on the eastern side of Kerry Hill, near Newtown. RES Developments Ltd also wants to erect three 70-metre-high wind monitoring masts near Esgair Priciau and Llyn Gwyddior, Llanbrynmair. Both companies say the masts are to investigate the suitability of the area for the future positioning of wind turbines. The masts will be temporary. A Powys Council spokesman said: "An application has been received for the erection of two wind masts and looks likely to go before the planning committee in early December." | 
