Letter of Support for Appeal by Community Energy in Pembrokeshire Limited

Crown Buildings,

Cathays Park,

Cardiff, CF10 3NQ

Reference: APP/N6845/A/16/3149977

Letter of Support for Appeal by Community Energy in Pembrokeshire Limited

Site Address: Prouts Park Farm, East Williamston, Tenby , Pembrokeshire, SA708RT

Our rural communities need to harvest and profit from their natural resources to survive in the 21st

Century and with this project the local community stands to gain access to thousands of pounds of non‐grant dependent funding by harnessing the power of the wind.

This scheme is committed to providing local groups with funding to do more environmental projects and low carbon activities. This project would be able to provide funding for more energy efficiency measures in local homes.

Jobs for local people is a continual challenge and this project would allow more opportunities for start up enterprises to have to funding to generate more jobs, thus allowing local people to have a choice of staying and living in their local area.

This scheme is being delivered by a grass roots community group with a proven commitment to their local area, not outside investors who have no real stake or interest in the community, cultural, Welsh language and heritage. This scheme has ensured continual community consultation and has seen local support for renewable energy over a long period of time in the area.

The scheme is a flagship project for Welsh Government’s “Ynni’r Fro” programme supporting community ownership of renewable energy businesses. It has benefitted from significant support and public funding and been subject to the appropriate scrutiny. Permitting this scheme will put Pembrokeshire at the forefront of community sustainability.

Finally I believe this scheme will be a blue print for other communities to develop the various renewable energy schemes in their locality. Schemes such as hydro, PV, solar thermal, biomass, ground source, air source and anaerobic digesters can be developed with a view to supporting and sustaining community and economic activity in rural Wales. At a time when many community and social amenities are facing severe cuts, the harnessing of energy and revenue from community schemes such as this could be a vital element in safeguarding community activities.

Yours sincerely,