Latest news with #PEDW
South Wales Argus
22-05-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Mynydd Maen windfarm to have 'negative impact' says council
A decision on whether to grant approval for the Mynydd Maen windfarm, west of Cwmbran and south of Pontypool, which would have 13 turbines with a height to their blade of 149 metres, will have to be decided by the Welsh Government but Torfaen Borough Council has had to compile a local impact report. That has concluded overall, the impact on the landscape and visual amenity of Torfaen would be 'negative' and the impact on residential amenity is also judged to be 'negative'. The report, which will be submitted to Welsh planning body Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW), was presented to Torfaen Borough Council's planning committee at its May meeting. Among concerns raised by councillors was the potential impact on birds of prey, and it was acknowledged the turbines could kill around two every day. The proposed development area covers 376 hectares, of which around 120 is within Torfaen and the remainder within Caerphilly County Borough Council's area and much of it within the Abercarn Visually Important Local Landscape while part of its south eastern corner is within Torfaen's special upland landscape area. Most of the site is within the area that has been pre-assessed by the Welsh Government where there is a presumption in favour of wind generation. Pontypool independent councillor Mark Jones said the turbines would be nearly 150m: 'To put that into context of pylons 150m is around 500 foot high the average pylon is 150 foot. These are absolutely monstrous things.' Cllr Jones said he also didn't understand how the area was proposed when Welsh policy states large scale wind farms won't be permitted in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 'Anybody who has been on Mynydd Maen and can tell me that's not an area of outstanding natural beauty, then I don't know what is,' said Cllr Jones. Planning officer Justin Jones explained an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is a 'particular designation in law' which he said the area hasn't been designated but acknowledged it has 'unique features' but has also been assessed as being acceptable for windfarm developments. Mr Jones said details of nesting sites for red kites and peregrine falcons couldn't be publicly disclosed but applicants Renewable Energy Systems has proposed mitigations as part of its assessments It also wants permission to move the siting of the turbines 50 metres in any direction which Mr Jones said would have to be considered in relation to its mitigation proposals to protect the birds of prey. Reform UK councillor for Llantarnam, Alan Slade said: 'I've read these turbines can kill up to two raptors everyday. Will there by any assessment of fatalities after these turbines have gone up?' Mr Jones said he understood the 'anticipated kill rate' isn't a dissimilar figure to the one Cllr Slade had mentioned but said there would be mitigations including that a turbine could be switched off. A condition requiring a turbine be switched off will also be suggested as part of measures to control noise if it is found to have an unacceptable impact. The developer will be expected to respond to the issues raised in the council's report which also considers the cumulative impact with other wind farms proposed nearby at Llanhilleth and Abertillery.
Powys County Times
19-05-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Go-ahead for weather mast in Powys despite objections
A planning inspector has given the go-ahead for a 122.5-metre weather mast on common land near Builth Wells despite a wave of objections. Powys County Council's planning committee in January agreed an application from Aberedw Energy Park Limited to allow the weather mast at Aberedw Hill to be sited there for a five year period. Aberedw Energy Park Limited is also behind proposals to build 18 wind turbines at the site, which is on common lean three kilometres east of Builth Wells. The company is the development vehicle for Bute Energy, which specialises in wind and solar energy parks. But before anything can be build there the firm needed to receive common land consent to allow the work to take place, and lodged a commons consent application with PEDW (Planning and Environment Decision Wales) in December 2024. RECOMMENDED READING: The report from PEDW said that 31 'individual representations' had been submitted which raised several concerns including: 'Catastrophic impact on birdlife on the common, and that the supporting wires will pose a danger to various birds, including lapwings, curlews, red kites, buzzards and ospreys; 'The height of the mast would have a detrimental visual impact on the area, the landscape and historic environment, including the cumulative impact of other proposed schemes in the wider area; Harmful impact on tourism and the economy.' Concerns were also raised about a 'potential danger' to low flying military aircraft and paragliders, the air ambulance and hot air balloons. Planning inspector Richard Duggan visited the site last month. He said: 'A number of objections have raised concerns regarding the impact on biodiversity, including impact upon birdlife. 'I note that Powys County Council 's ecologist raised no objection to the planning application subject to the imposition of conditions. 'Having regard to the evidence before me I am satisfied that biodiversity enhancement and the protection of ecological and ornithological interests on the common could be achieved through the conditions imposed on the planning permission for the works.' 'In my view there would be no fundamental changes to the underlying key characteristics of the local landscape and changes to the visual context of the area would only occur relatively close to the site.' On the looming wind turbine proposal in the background, Mr Duggan said: 'Any such windfarm development, would be subject to a separate future DNS (Development of National Significance) application where its effects on the living conditions of nearby residents, on the common and wider landscape would be fully considered. 'Therefore, concerns regarding a possible future wind farm, the design or extent of which is currently unknown, and not directly relevant to this application.' Due to this he said he would 'allow the application and grant consent for the works'. If built the wind turbines could generate 108 megawatts (MW) of electricity which would be enough to power the equivalent of 97,000 homes a year.
Powys County Times
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Pylon plans threaten to wipe out Powys harness racing event
A POPULAR summer sporting event in Powys could be erased from the calendar by plans to erect pylons across the county, a landowner has warned. Cilmery Harness Races has been a permanent fixture on the summer harness racing schedule for more than a decade. But, plans to scatter the Brecon and Radnorshire countryside with wind turbines and electricity pylons is threatening its future. The event, held every August at Cilmery Farm, on the edge of the village, lies directly in the path of the proposed Green GEN Cymru Towy Usk network, a 60-mile line of pylons through Powys. The route would start at the Nant Mithil Energy Park in the Radnor Forest and cut a swathe right through the heart of Powys, on its way to Carmarthen. Kevin Jones, a third-generation farmer at Cilmery Farm, has been approached by green energy firms, who want to build five pylons on his land – including one proposed on the last corner of the racetrack. 'I'm against it, I don't want the things,' said Kevin, 53, who has worked on the family farm since he was 17. 'I don't want or need them. I'll be looking straight out of my house at them. They look absolutely horrible. It's unspoilt countryside here, there's no pylons for miles around.' Huge changes afoot for school in Powys as consultation begins Man seen smashing car windscreen with broomstick was 'on path to destruction' From redundancy to writer - author's third novel is published by Harper Collins Two races per summer are held on the track, which Kevin agreed to host more than 15 years ago. 'My father-in-law is big into harness racing and he persuaded me to hold the races here,' said Kevin. 'It's a prestigious event locally and on the trotting calendar. I do it for the local community. 'But, it will be finished if or when the pylons go through, because we won't be able to get a licence or insurance for it. It'll be a health and safety nightmare, there's no way can you race round pylons.' Cilmery Farm sits alongside the A483 passing through the village towards Llanwrtyd Wells, with Kevin claiming the pylon on the last corner will have to be raised even higher than the others, because of a dip from the road to the field. The farm will be part of the route linking the Aberedw and Bryn Gilwern Energy Parks projects, either side of neighbouring Builth Wells, to Carmarthen. Kevin was first contacted by Green GEN around two years ago. 'I wanted them to go into another field but they keep coming back to the racecourse field,' he said. 'It's like hitting my head against a brick wall talking to them." 'Because it's a PEDW (Planning and Environment Decisions Wales, which deals with projects of national significance) application, all it takes is for the planning chief in Cardiff to sign it and it'll be go. We have no say.' He added: 'The compensation they're offering is peanuts too. I've been told around £5,000 or 6,000 as a one-off payment, but they haven't really told me. And I don't want it. 'When I contact them they tell me the person I need to speak to is on holiday.' Gareth Williams, grid director at Green GEN Cymru, said previously: 'It's imperative we act swiftly to harness Wales' renewable energy potential and get the green energy generated to the many homes, hospitals, schools, businesses and communities that need it in the rest of Wales and beyond. 'The existing network in Mid Wales does not have nearly enough capacity to connect all the new renewable energy we need, locally and nationally. 'To end the use of fossil fuels we need new infrastructure, and quickly. Our plans for the Towy Usk connection will help build a positive, clean future for us all.'
North Wales Live
08-05-2025
- North Wales Live
Owner of luxury Gwynedd Airbnb barn has month to appeal or it faces being shut down
The owner of a luxury converted barn, refused retrospective planning permission, has a month to submit an appeal or face returning the property to its original use. Plas Coch Barn in Penisarwaun, Gwynedd, which is still listed on Airbnb, hit the headlines after villagers claimed their lives were being ruined by "rowdy visitors playing loud music" and the "noisy" use of a hot tub. The retrospective bid was thrown out by Cyngor Gwynedd's planning committee in December and the owner Karl Jones was then hit with an enforcement notice, which would see its huge roof to floor window being removed and the let being reverted back to its "ancillary use" to the main house. Plas Coch Barn has until October 2 to comply with enforcement notice. A council spokesperson said it was continuing to 'monitor' the situation at the property. The owner, Mr Jones insisted previously that villagers' claims about rowdy behaviour by holidaymakers were"exaggerated and were unfounded". Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday Penisarwaun residents Mick and Jean Sharp, said they had been "very surprised" to receive a letter from the council's planning enforcement officer Aneurin Mon Parry stating that "no valid appeal has been registered by Planning & Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) within the prescribed period". The letter added: "Consequently, the Notice is now in effect and the owner of Plas Coch has until October 2, 2025 to fully comply with the requirements of the Notice itself..." The couple also said the barn conversion had been "very busy" throughout April, Easter, half term and the Bank Holidays. "The problems are also continuing, " they claimed. "Only recently, we had to go round again and politely ask some visitors if they wouldn't mind turning the music down," they added. They were also "concerned" they will now have to wait six months, until the beginning of October, before the Council "makes another move". A council spokesperson said: 'We can confirm that a letter was sent to residents by Aneurin Mon Parry as the Enforcement Team Leader. 'The enforcement notice is in effect and requires full compliance by October 2, 2025."However, the applicant does still have the right to appeal refused planning application C23/0463/18/LL within six months of the date of decision. The council will continue to monitor the situation." According to the council planning portal C23/0463/18/LL - relates to a "rejected retrospective application to convert an outbuilding to holiday let". Mr Jones was approached for comment.
BBC News
12-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Merthyr Tydfil ski slope 'once in a lifetime' opportunity
Plans to build the UK's longest ski slope in Merthyr Tydfil have been described as a "once in a lifetime" opportunity by £300m Rhydycar West development would feature an indoor snow centre as well as a tropical waterpark and activity planning application from Marvel Ltd was recommended for refusal by Merthyr council officers due to concerns over its planned location, sustainability, scale, impact on the view and at a planning committee on Wednesday, councillors voted against the recommendation and backed the project which could create an estimated 842 jobs and inject an additional £38m into the local economy each year. The plans, first mooted in 2017, will now go before planning inspectorate Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) who will consider whether to call it attraction, which covers land to the south west of the A470/A4102 roundabout, would also include as many as 418 hotel rooms and up to 30 Wednesday's meeting, councillor Clive Jones said it was by far the largest application that had come before the committee for decades, adding he had received more representations of support for this than any other application in 21 council received more than 420 letters in support of the application and a petition in its favour has been signed by more than 2,800 said the long-term economic benefit would be "unbelievable".He added: "Merthyr Tydfil needs massive investment and we have a duty to move this application for current and future generations."Councillor Declan Sammon said it was a "once in a lifetime opportunity" to bring something to Merthyr Tydfil that would "benefit our children and grandchildren".He said if the application was approved, the council would have done its part and it would be down to the Welsh government and the developers to deliver for the people of Merthyr Gareth Lewis said the council must show its "ambitions match the opportunities", while councillor Lee Davies said the development would establish Merthyr Tydfil as a major leisure and tourism destination. There have been 25 objections to the plans as well as officers' recommendation for refusal based on the negative impact on sites of special scientific interest and a site of importance for nature have also been voiced about the loss of a portion of ancient woodland protected by a tree preservation their conclusion, officers said: "On balance the potential economic and social benefits including employment creation, significant private investment, and enhanced leisure facilities would not outweigh the harm identified to the important ecological and landscape value of the site."Meanwhile, residents have expressed concern over potential damage to the canal, increased traffic, air pollution and the visual impact on the Merthyr Tydfil landscape of outstanding historic March 2024 the council was told by the Welsh government it could refuse the application but a decision to grant planning permission would likely be ultimately taken by ministers.
