In reply to ianstevens:
I'm certainly not disputing with you that Pumlumon is not the most inspiring "mountain", though the whole ridge has it's beauty. We also tend to think only of views from the tops of hills, whereas from the valleys looking upwards are just as important. I have camped quite a bit in Hengwm which gives the impression of being away from all human habitation and interference - I feel this is important that there are a few places left that people can enjoy a few hours (days and nights) away from the infrastructures of modern life.
There is also a plan for a Nant-y-Moch wind farm, of 62 turbines of 480ft on the slopes of Pumlumon covering an area of 9 x 5 miles, overlooking these historical valleys - I'm not keen on that either.
In 1965 the National Parks Commission decided that the Cambrian Mountains should be Britain's 11th national park, to cut a long story short, in 1973 it failed (much to the shock of the countryside commission), mainly due to objections from farmers/landowners and local authorities - predictable opposition - and some pre-election politics. The area is currently battling for status as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
If this wind farm was approved it would open the doors to applications all down the Cambrians and Elenydd - there are plenty of mutterings down this end from landowners hoping to cover the uplands in turbines.
Where to put them? Top of Snowdon for a start, they already have a railway and café up there, so a few turbines wouldn't harm.