Plans to build up to 18 wind turbines at Esgair Cwmowen between Carno and Llanfair Caereinion have been put on hold while the Welsh Government mulls taking over the application.

Welsh Government minister for Climate Change, Julie James MS will consider whether to take charge of the decision-making process after being asked to “call in” the plans.

The application by Pennant Walters has been revised several times since it was initially mooted back in 2010.

At the time the firm submitted a planning application for 21 turbines, with subsequent plans ranging from 11 turbines up to 19.

The current proposal being considered by the Welsh Government for call in is for 18 turbines, which would have a maximum capacity of producing 47.5 Mega Watt Hours of electricity.

OTHER NEWS:

The proposal also includes anemometer mast, substation, control building, site entrance, new and improved access tracks and all associated building and engineering operations and landscaping together with highway improvements.

Documents show that the Welsh Government is now waiting for a report from Powys County Council on the project.

A Welsh Government spokesman said: “We have received a call-in request in respect of this application which is currently under active consideration.”

Issuing the holding direction means that the council cannot approve the proposal but allows consultation work as part of the planning process to continue.

The direction also allows the council to refuse the scheme.

A major issue is how to get the wind turbine components from Ellesmere Port in Cheshire to the site along the county’s roads.

Pennant Walters says it is working with the Welsh Government, Powys County Council and others to “define a strategic traffic management plan” that would allow the turbines to be delivered to Esgair Cwmowen.

The windfarm proposal is one of several that are in the pipeline for Powys.

Others will be considered as Developments of National Significance, meaning they are being dealt with by Welsh Government planning inspectors and Powys County Council its planning department and planning committee will only be consultees in the process.

Current windfarm plans in Powys include:

  • Mynydd Lluest y Graig – southwest of Llanfair Caereinion – by Vattenfall Windpower Limited.
  • Garn Fach Windfarm – south of Newtown – by EDF Energy Renewables Limited.
  • Carnedd Wen Windfarm – Llanbrynmair Forest – RWE Renewables Limited.
  • Nant Mithil Energy Park – Radnor Forest, Llandegley – Nant Mithil Energy Park Limited.
  • Banc Du Energy Park – northwest of Llangurig – Bute Energy.
  • Rhiwlas Energy Park – southeast of Llangurig – Bute Energy.