Fears of wind farm 'free for all' in Wales if new powers granted

Proposed new powers giving Wales greater responsibility to decide whether to give the go-ahead to wind farms could "cover" the country with turbines, MPs have warned.

The renewable energy farms have become an increasingly common sight in the countryside, but they have often been met with anger and opposition for nearby residents who object to their noise and visual impact.

The Wales Bill would give the country authority to approve energy planning for all onshore wind farms, and offshore projects of up to 350MW.

Former Welsh secretary David Jones told the House of Commons the move could pave the way for an influx of farms across rural Wales.

Onshore wind farms have proved highly controversial in rural Wales, and the UK Government has rejected a series of applications to build them over the past 12 months.