Pennant Walters, renewable development arm of the Walters Group based in Hirwaun, is in the early stages of preparing an application for a new wind farm at Mynydd Llanhilleth, north west Torfaen, a company spokesperson has confirmed.
Mynydd Llanhilleth wind farm could generate approximately 48MW of renewable electricity – enough to power 24,000 homes – and contribute to tackling the climate emergency, helping move Wales closer to achieving the targets for renewable energy generation set by Welsh Government.
The proposals, which are still in the early stages of being developed, will be deemed a ‘Development of National Significance’ (DNS) under current legislation in Wales. DNS applications are submitted to the Planning Inspectorate Wales for consideration, before being decided by Welsh Ministers.
Pennant Walters Managing Director Dale Hart said:
“We are working on the early proposals for a wind farm in the Mynydd Llanhilleth area. We’re currently undertaking preliminary surveys in order to inform the proposals and have just submitted a scoping request to the Planning Inspectorate. This will help inform our early technical work as we develop the proposals for the scheme.”
“Wherever possible, we’re looking at how we can best align this project with existing and emerging carbon reduction targets set by Welsh Government, as well as seeking opportunities to contribute to the climate agenda, community benefit and supply chain at a local level.
“As part of this commitment, we will be consulting extensively with local residents and relevant stakeholders as we bring forward our application. We look forward to confirming further details about this and methods for providing feedback over the course of the next few months.”
Dale went on to say:
“To date, Pennant Walters has distributed around £3.5million pounds to qualifying projects as part of its renewable energy community benefit initiatives in South Wales and we’re keen to continue this commitment with this project.”
In April 2019, the Welsh Government declared a climate emergency and published its Future Wales: The National Development Framework, which was adopted at the start of 2021. The Mynydd Llanhilleth site lies within an identified priority area for the provision of renewable energy.
Part of the site also lies within the Mynydd Llanhilleth Common, meaning that consultation in line with the Commons Act 2006 will also be undertaken. Pennant Walters is encouraging anyone with an interest in the Common Land in this area to get in touch through the consultation process.
Further proposals for the development of a second wind farm of similar size in Blaenau Gwent have also been announced at Mynydd Carn-y-Cefn. Pennant Walters has confirmed that both wind projects will be brought forward at a similar time and that further information on both will be made available in due course.
