DETAILED plans for a controversial 31-turbine windfarm in the picturesque Radnorshire countryside will be available to scrutinise for the next six weeks.
Bute Energy has announced the launch of its statutory six-week consultation period on Nant Mithil Energy Park in the Radnor Forest, near Llandrindod Wells.
As part of this period, there will be three public events held in local communities in the coming weeks.
The statutory consultation will give these communities close to the project the chance to examine plans and provide feedback before the development is finalised.
Public events will take place at Dolau Community Hall, Dolau, on Tuesday, May 21, between 2-7pm; at Penybont and District Community Centre, Penybont, on Friday, June 7, also from 2-7pm; and at New Radnor Community Centre, Hall Lane, New Radnor, from 10am-3pm on Saturday, June 8.
OTHER NEWS:
- Powys teen needs home after extraordinarily rare conditions left him in a coma
- Duo to be sentenced next month for Powys supermarket and petrol station raid
- Drones banned on the Mach loop after 'almost catastrophic' near misses
Documents are available and feedback can also be given on the Bute Energy website, with the deadline for comments Monday, June 24.
Bute’s original plans for its flagship Nant Mithil project included scope for 36 turbines. The company said feedback from initial consultation, as well as findings from environmental assessments, led to their proposals being updated.
“We’re proud to be close to submitting the proposals for Nant Mithil Energy Park,” said Dafydd Williams, senior project manager at Bute Energy.
“The project responds to the climate emergency, reduces our reliance on fossil fuels and supports the Welsh Government’s target for electricity to be 100 per cent renewable by 2035.
“Our proposals have evolved following feedback from the last consultation and the results of extensive environmental studies.
“We’ve updated our designs by reducing the number of turbines from 36 to 31, reducing the site area and reducing the maximum height of 28 turbines.
“Other changes include moving turbines from the western edge of the site and no longer considering crossing across the River Wye to access the site.
“We’re pleased to now be able to present these changes prior to submitting a planning application to Planning Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) later this year.”
Bute claims Nant Mithil Energy Park will produce up to 205 megawatts of clean energy, generating power for between 135,000 and 202,000 homes.
It will connect to the electricity transmission network via the proposed Towy Usk green energy network to be built by Green GEN Cymru, part of the Bute Energy Group.
Situated partially within a Welsh Government pre-assessed wind priority area for large-scale onshore wind energy, as part of a national plan for 2040, Bute says the project will support local, national and international targets.
As part of proposals, Bute will establish a community benefit fund which it claims will deliver around £1.5 million worth of investment per year over the lifespan of the project – which is expected to last 40 years.
Its community investment team says it is focused on supporting local groups, charities and services with funding to sustain and expand their work and build large scale legacy projects.
Bute also says that each contract awarded during development and construction will see partners sign up to a social value standard, which will support and direct partners to invest jobs, time, resources and money into the communities near Powys projects, aiming to keep as much of Bute’s investment in the county.
This statutory consultation will help shape a Development of National Significance (DNS) application. This will then be submitted to PEDW for consideration before being determined by Welsh ministers.
The draft application documents, as well as an online feedback form, will be available at the project website, at nantmithilenergypark.wales.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here