Welsh Conservatives have challenged First Minister Rhodri Morgan over his commitment to a public inquiry into the planned Gwynt y Mor wind farm off the North Wales coast.
More than a year after the First Minister claimed the proposal “needs a full public inquiry … simple as that” no plans have been brought forward by the Assembly or UK governments.
Mr Morgan made the statement in a television debate programme in the run-up to last year’s National Assembly elections.
Under the plans, it is proposed to erect 200 wind turbines 15km off the coast of Llandudno.
After Mr Morgan’s comments last April an Assembly Government spokesman said the Department for Trade and Industry had been made aware of ministers’ wishes to hold a public inquiry.
Welsh Conservatives have long-argued for an inquiry into the development.
Assembly leader Nick Bourne, who was also part of the panel on the TV programme in which Rhodri Morgan made the commitment, has written to the First Minister to demand to know what he is doing to secure the inquiry.
The Opposition leader also criticised the Assembly Government’s failure to address local concerns about the project.
Commenting on Rhodri Morgan’s failure to fulfil a pre-election promise Nick Bourne AM said: “The Assembly Government said nothing to address public concerns about this project until a few days before polling day.
“It was clear then that the First Minister’s timing was a cynical attempt to try and salvage a few Labour votes in North Wales marginal seats.
“As that failed it should come as no surprise that post-election Rhodri Morgan has said nothing more about the subject.
“The First Minister made his views crystal clear a year ago. It would appear his memory is now failing him.
“The people of North Wales deserve to have a say in the future of this massive development.
“The best way for their voices to be heard is through an inquiry the First Minister himself said he was committed to.”
Shadow Environment Minister and Clwyd West AM Darren Millar said: “The scale of the Gwynt y Mor development cannot be overstated. It will have significant consequences for the seascape of North Wales.
“Rhodri Morgan gave a clear commitment to hold a public inquiry last April. We have heard nothing since.
“Meanwhile people living in that part of North Wales continue to have concerns about the project. Those concerns deserve to be heard.
“Welsh Conservatives are committed to increasing the generation and use of renewable energy in Wales.
“That said, we do not think the scale and impact of this particular development is the right way to achieve it.”