AN Anglesey farmer is refusing to sell his land to the energy company behind plans to build the new Wylfa B nuclear power station.


Richard Jones, who owns the family run Caerdegog Uchaf farm, in Llanfechell, has already turned down approaches from surveyors Fisher German, who are operating on behalf of Horizon Nuclear Power, the energy giants behind the power station’s planned construction.


“There is no price that would tempt us to sell,” said Mr Jones.
 

“It’s because we’ve been here so long.”


“I will fight it as much as possible,” he added.


“I feel I owe it to my ancestors and future generations.”


Mr Jones’s family have been on the farm for over 300 years and his son Owain, 24, had been hoping to follow in his father’s footsteps.


“My son said to me “my future is in Horizon’s hands and it should be in mine””, said Mr Jones.


“I realise that people need work and that’s the main reason why people want Wylfa B.


“But I’m sure there most be another solution.”


People Against Wylfa B (PAWB), the campaign group that opposes the Wylfa B development condemned what it called the “bullying tactics” of Horizon.


PAWB spokesman Robat Idris said: “It is obvious that Horizon don’t understand that money isn’t everything, and that there are values beyond their comprehension.
 

“I sincerely hope this family, and any other farmers who face losing land and property because of Wylfa B gather support across Ynys Môn and the whole of Wales.


“Wylfa B is a threat to every farmer on the island, even if there is no intention to take their land.


“One accident or mistake causing a significant release of radioactivity would lead to nobody wanting to buy the island’s excellent produce”.


Horizon have already started purchasing land for the development of the plant, which is due to start in the coming years.


The company has the potential legal option of enforcing compulsory purchase orders, which will allow them to purchase the land without the consent of the owner.


However, Horizon spokesman Leon Flexman said the company was determined to do all it could to avoid the possibility.


“The land we have available for the permanent buildings for a new power station at Wylfa has a fixed boundary, but we may need some more land outside this area for temporary use during the construction phase, or for landscaping to make sure the eventual look of the station fits the natural surroundings,” he said.


“We are hoping we will be able to sit down and discuss the situation with Mr Jones and then take it from there.”
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