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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.
Wales Online
21-05-2025
- General
- Wales Online
'Absolutely monstrous' wind turbines with potential to power thousands of homes could kill two birds of prey every day
'Absolutely monstrous' wind turbines with potential to power thousands of homes could kill two birds of prey every day A proposed windfarm to be decided on by the Welsh Government would have a "negative" impact on the area, says report The view of Cwmbran from the Mynydd Maen where 13 huge wind turbines are planned (Image: Paul Tarrant ) Council planners have found that a proposed windfarm at a mountain in Wales with the potential to power thousands of homes would have a negative impact. As a development of national significance the proposed Mynydd Maen windfarm on the mountain overlooking Cwmbran will be decided on by the Welsh Government. Torfaen Borough Council has also been tasked with compiling a local impact report investigating the potential pros and cons of the windfarm, which could see 13 turbines each standing at 149 metres to the blade tip. The new report indicates that the development would negatively affect both the landscape and visual amenity of Torfaen as well as the residential amenity. Torfaen council's planning committee discussed the findings during their May meeting, submitted to the Welsh planning body Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW). An issue of particular concern for councillors was the risk the turbines pose to birds of prey with an estimated two fatalities per day possible due to the windfarm. The planned site is around one kilometre west of Cwmbran and two east of Newbridge and spans 376 hectares. Around 120 hectares are in Torfaen and the remainder falls under the jurisdiction of Caerphilly County Borough Council. Article continues below It also stretches into both the Abercarn visually important local landscape area and partially into Torfaen's designated special upland landscape area. Much of the site lies within the area pre-assigned by the Welsh Government as being suitable for wind generation, generally enjoying a favourable view towards wind energy projects since the Welsh Government has set targets for Wales to meet the equivalent of 100% of its annual electricity demand from renewable sources by 2035 and to achieve net zero by 2050. Pontypool's independent councillor, Mark Jones, has voiced his concerns about the proposed wind turbines, which are expected to stand nearly 150m tall. He said: "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 also questioned the selection of the site given Welsh policy on large scale wind farms 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," he said. Planning officer Justin Jones clarified that an area of outstanding natural beauty is a "particular designation in law", which the area in question does not have, but he did recognise its "unique features" and noted it has been deemed suitable for wind farm development. Mr Jones said specific details regarding red kites and peregrine falcons' nesting sites could not be shared publicly but the applicant, Renewable Energy Systems (RES), has suggested mitigation measures within its assessments. The company is also seeking approval to adjust the turbine locations by up to 50 metres in any direction which Mr Jones indicated would need to be evaluated in light of their bird protection strategies. Reform UK councillor for Llantarnam Alan Slade raised concerns about the potential impact on wildlife. He 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 acknowledged that the "anticipated kill rate" isn't markedly different from the number Cllr Slade referenced, mentioning that measures such as turning off a turbine could act as mitigation. 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. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here 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. A decision should be made within 36 weeks. If consented it would take around 12 to 18 months for detailed design, discharge of planning conditions and the procurement of equipment and contractors. RES said its construction, a start date for which would be dependent on a grid connection, would deliver a £26.3m boost for the Welsh economy, with £3.6m injected locally. Graeme Kerr, project manager for RES, said: 'We have spent the last few years proactively engaging with the local community and stakeholders to really understand people's views on our proposal. "The feedback, along with extensive environmental and technical surveys and assessments, has helped to inform and shape the final design for the wind farm. 'Our team has worked hard to ensure the wind farm would sit sensitively within the landscape, whilst avoiding areas of deeper peat and potential archaeological features. Article continues below 'Furthermore, the wind farm, if consented, could also deliver biodiversity net benefit through measures including restoration and management of dry heath, bracken control, pond creation and improving the condition of wet heath areas, an important habitat for birds and invertebrates.'
South Wales Argus
11-05-2025
- South Wales Argus
Torfaen Child Missing in Education procedures outlined
Councils are required to keep track of children and identify if they are missing from education. Torfaen Borough Council education officials, who were presenting information on school attendance to councillors, were questioned around its Child Missing in Education procedures. Fairwater Labour councillor Jayne Watkins asked how many such cases the department dealt with. Andy Rothwell, the council's head of learning and achievement, replied: 'Those cases not too many, last year five in total that we explored and shut down.' He said the department works with the council's benefits team, and nationally with HMRC the tax office, as well as the police to find where a child is if necessary and then a case can be 'shut down'. He added: 'There were two cases in America. It was discovered they'd moved to America and we were happy the local authority in America had eyes on those children.' A school to school tracking system is also used across the UK while education officer Claire Williams said names are also discussed at education panel meetings meaning children can be identified before the Child Missing in Education procedures are required. Mr Rothwell promised to share the procedures with Cllr Watkins after she asked what was meant by the report stating such children are identified 'quickly'. He said the procedures sets out what schools need to do and in what timeframe and also the timeframe, and what is required, of the local education authority.
South Wales Argus
07-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Gwent Crematorium: Application for new roof and solar panels
The application has been made by property services firm Newport Norse which is a joint venture between Newport City Council and Norse Commercial Services part of the Norse Group owned by Norfolk County Council. It has already been given planning permission to add solar panels to the roof of the crematorium in Treherbert Road, Croesyceiliog, Cwmbran. It has now asked Torfaen Borough Council for full planning permission for a replacement roof for the main chapel which will involve replacing clay rosemary tiles with Alumasc Metal Airtiles. Newport City Council is responsible for the crematorium which is in the Torfaen Borough Council local authority area and its planning department is considering the application.
South Wales Argus
03-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Torfaen council 'private homes reluctant to let children go'
Councils across Wales are preparing for a new Welsh law that will ban the use of for-profit children's care providers including residential children's homes and independent fostering agencies. Jason O'Brien, the director for children's and family services at Torfaen Borough Council, told councillors removing children from private residential homes can be 'very difficult' as they do not want to lose income attached to the children. He said: 'It can be very difficult sometimes to move a child on from private provision it might be their need has reduced significantly but the provider wants to hold on to them as they are generating a profit.' The social services chief also said providers could also have an incentive to keep children with reduced need as they are 'less difficult to have' in their homes. In response to the Welsh Government's 'eliminate agenda' to remove for-profit children's care Torfaen is developing its own small children's homes and aiming to boost the number of its own in-house foster carers as well as reducing the numbers of children taken into care, which Mr O'Brien said is being driven by 'quality assurance and safeguarding'. He told the council's children and families scrutiny committee, that was examining how the council is preparing for the legislation that will be fully implemented by April 2030, placing children with for-profit providers meant the council is one step removed from their care. Children can also be placed out of county, including in England, which is more time consuming for social workers. 'There is an incentive for for-profit providers to have a child placed with them, for us within the local authority we do not have that incentive it is more on improving outcomes for that child.' Mr O'Brien acknowledged there is a financial incentive for the council to achieve savings by reducing the numbers of children in care but said it aims to do so by better supporting families. Torfaen has already opened its two-bedroom Greenhill children's home in Cwmbran with housing association Hedyn, formally known as Melin, has recently purchased a second home and is looking at buying a third as well as converting a property the council has been using for emergency placements. Those four will give Torfaen 13 beds and the committee was told of the 19 children currently in residential placements all but the two housed at Greenhill are with for-profit providers. Councillors were told the council has also 'benchmarked' costs of using for-profit providers, against using its own accommodation in partnership with non-profits, and is confident of savings. The council also has 35 children with independent foster agencies and Mr O'Brien said on average those placements cost the council around £1,000 a week compared to £400 for its in house carers. Some of those children in care will turn 18 before the new legislation is fully implemented, added Mr O'Brien. He also said there wouldn't be a return to the large scale children's homes that had been in place under the former Gwent County Council such as Coed Glass, that housed 30 children near Abergavenny, or Ty Mawr, that was also in an isolated rural location, and had 90 children. Mr O'Brien said: 'I would struggle to see the benefit of say a 10 bed provision beyond the financial, benefits of scale, but this is about outcomes and improving outcomes for children in our care.' He said the council wants small homes, with fewer children and staff, that are more like a 'family than residential environment' in communities. A smaller number of children also makes it easier to 'match' suitable children in a home, said Mr O'Brien. Councillors said they were satisfied with how the authority has prepared for the eliminate agenda but said the outcomes of changes it is putting in place, including a staff restructure, aren't known as yet and are likely to require further updates on progress.
