We demand that the National Trust deny access through the Dolaucothi Estate for 4 Industrial Wind Farms. 

We call on National Trust Cymru to refuse access through the Dolaucothi Estate for construction traffic and haulage linked to four proposed industrial wind farms whose proposals total 80 wind turbines of up to 220m high. 

Back in September a spokesperson from the National Trust said

“To date we have only given permission for survey work along the proposed route. We have not agreed to any element of the scheme in principle.”

We seek reassurance that access across the estate will not be granted.

Dolaucothi is a uniquely important heritage landscape, home to the only known Roman gold mines in Britain, a Scheduled Monument at Pumsaint, ancient woodland, archaeological features spanning two millennia, and the tranquil rural character the estate is famous for.

The estate was bequeathed to the National Trust in 1941 by the Johnes family, who had cared for the land since the 16th century. It was entrusted to the Trust to protect its archaeology, wildlife and landscape for future generations.

Aside from the wider damage the proposed wind farms might do to the sensitive ecosystem with its unique red squirrel population, the abundance of deep peat, and priority list bird species there is a real risk that the access track will destroy a fragile ecosystem that lives in Pumsaint.

Dolaucothi is home to Greater Horseshoe Bats, one of the UK’s rarest and most legally protected species, which roost in the mine tunnels and rely on dark, undisturbed corridors through the estate.

Proposals to widen and re-engineer the track from Pumsaint through the estate to up to 150 metres wide would cause permanent and irreversible damage.

There is no justification for permitting this violation on their estate, therefore we urge the National Trust to refuse all access and protect this irreplaceable landscape.

Image of Dolaucothi courtesy of Karis Hedges