IT’S LIKE WAKING FROM A NIGHTMARE SAYS BEEKEEPER IN THE SHADOW OF FAILED WYLFA NEWYDD PROJECT
A beekeeper in a shadow of the failed nuclear development proposal at Wylfa says the plans being pulled were like “waking up from a nightmare”.
Katie Hayward has run Felin Honeybees next to the Wylfa site since 2012 after giving up her well paid job and selling her convertible sports car to raise money.
In recent years she had been engaged in a battle with Horizon Nuclear Power over the potential environmental impact during the construction period for the multi-billion pound project on Anglesey.
Hitachi announced last year it was withdrawing from the development after failing to agree funding terms with UK Government.
Last week the planning application was withdrawn as no other investor had come forward to take on the project (so far – though talks continue).
The report from the planning inspectorate was later released showing they had recommended refusal for the £16bn scheme.
Speaking last week, Katie said: “The news that the application had been withdrawn and the project was no more filled my family with a huge sense of relief.
“For the last four years we have fought so hard to save what I have worked so hard to build to the point of life changing medical problems. As you can imagine it was waking up from a nightmare.
“Then to hear that the inspectorate had agreed it shouldn’t be built also filled me with the knowledge that I wasn’t alone.”
UK and Welsh Governments remain committed to trying to secure a developer for the site with unconfirmed reports the Welsh administration were in talks about taking on Hitachi’s UK nuclear vehicle Horizon Nuclear Power.
Katie added: “I need to know this ends now as no one can live like this.
“My heart also goes out to everyone that had empty promises of jobs.
“I worked away for years and I know the thought of working at home would have been bliss.
“But hopefully the community can now move on to a better future without Wylfa Newydd or Horizon,” Katie said.