Proposals

what are we proposing?

Pennant Walters is seeking to develop a wind farm of up to 34MW capacity in South Wales, known as Mynydd Llanhilleth wind farm.

Update – September 2024

Following the submission and validation of the previous application (DNS/3273368) earlier this year, we submitted a request to Planning and Environment Decision Wales (PEDW) to remove one of the eight proposed turbines following receipt of further feedback from consultees.

Whilst this change represents a reduction in the proposed scale of the wind farm, based on advice received from PEDW, we decided to withdraw this previous application.

We are now in the statutory Pre-Application Consultation (PAC) for the new application (DNS/CAS-03540-M8J8M5) on the same site, with the amended application proposing up to seven turbines instead of eight previously proposed. You can find all of the relevant documents on the Project Documents page and a summary of the proposals below.

 

Project Scope

The design of the wind farm has evolved during the course of the pre-application process. The refined proposals are comprised of:

  • Up to seven wind turbines, anticipated to be approximately 4MW each with an indicative height of up to 180m to tip together with external transformer housing;
  • Improvements to an existing access road off the B4246
  • Turbine foundations and crane pads at each turbine location
  • Underground power cables
  • Grid connection infrastructure, including an on-site substation and control building

Further information and documents will be available to download from the Project Documents page.

 

Click here to see the proposed turbine layout

As the proposed windfarm will generate more than 10MW of electricity it is defined as a Development of National Significance (DNS). This means that the planning application will be submitted to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) and considered by an Inspector with the final decision made by Welsh Ministers. More information on this process can be found here.

Pennant Walters submitted a scoping request to PEDW in 2021 to ensure the appropriate environmental studies are carried out as the proposals are developed.

This project is one of a number of new proposed wind farm schemes being brought forward by Pennant Walters, and the Project team is committed to informing, engaging and consulting through the design and planning process, to ensure local communities and other stakeholders have an opportunity to contribute their views and help shape the emerging proposals. Further information about other projects can be found on the Pennant Walters website.

Frequently Asked Questions

These initial FAQs provide some initial information about the proposals. 

They will evolve and expand over time to incorporate additional information and address queries that arise as the Project progresses.

What is the current status of the project?

Following the submission and validation of the previous application (DNS/3273368) earlier this year, we submitted a request to Planning and Environment Decision Wales (PEDW) to remove one of the eight proposed turbines following receipt of further feedback from consultees.

Whilst this change represents a reduction in the proposed scale of the wind farm, based on advice received from PEDW, we decided to withdraw this application.

We are now in the statutory Pre-Application Consultation (PAC) for the new application (DNS/CAS-03540-M8J8M5) on the same site, with the amended application proposing up to seven turbines instead of eight previously proposed.

The turbine that was removed was Turbine 5, you can find the new draft layout of the proposed application (as well as all other supporting documents) on the Project Documents page.

We intend to resubmit the application to PEDW in late 2024.

 

What are we proposing to develop?

Pennant Walters is seeking to develop a wind farm of up to 34MW capacity in South Wales, known as Mynydd Llanhilleth wind farm.

Whilst the design of the wind farm is likely to evolve during the course of the pre-application process, at this initial stage the project is currently envisaged as comprising:

    • Up to seven wind turbines, anticipated to be approximately 4MW each with an indicative height of up to 180m to tip together with external transformer housing;
    • Improvements to an existing access road off the B4246
    • Turbine foundations and crane pads at each turbine location
    • Underground power cables
    • Grid connection infrastructure, including an on-site substation and control building

As we progress through the pre-application process, further information and documents will be available to download from the Project Documents page.

It is estimated that the wind farm will generate up to 34MW of electricity, which is equivalent to providing enough power to meet the annual electricity needs of approximately 21,500 homes[1].

The wind farm will be designed with an operational life of 30 years, exporting renewable energy directly to the Western Power Distribution network.

[1] https://www.renewableuk.com/page/UKWEDExplained

Where is the site?

The proposed wind farm site is located to the south east of Abertillery and south west of the settlement of Llanhilleth. Land within the site boundary falls under the common land register and totals approximately 360 hectares. The site straddles two local authority areas – Torfaen County Borough Council and Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council.

Who will decide whether or not this project receives planning permission?

As this project will deliver up to 34MW of wind energy it will constitute a Development of National Significance (DNS) under the Planning (Wales) Act 2015 and Pennant Walters must apply to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW), which will make a recommendation to Welsh Ministers on whether or not to grant planning permission.

Ultimately, Welsh Ministers will decide whether or not to approve the application, however many other parties will have the opportunity to influence the proposals, including host local authorities, Torfaen County Borough Council and Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council, as well as local communities and interested parties.

Why has this site been chosen?

Pennant Walters has undertaken an extensive review of its landholdings across south Wales. This site has been selected following this review and the identification of the area as a 'Pre-Assessed Area' for onshore wind in the recently adopted ‘Future Wales’ document, which sets a blueprint for, amongst other things, how Wales can meet its carbon reduction targets through the development of renewable energy projects in appropriate locations across Wales.

We will also work closely with Torfaen County Borough Council and Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council to support their work in identifying suitable areas for renewable energy development currently underway with the Carbon Trust.

How can local communities and interested parties influence the development of the proposals?

We are currently undertaking a statutory consultation prior to submitting the application to PEDW. Interested parties can submit their feedback about the proposal through the methods below:

FREEPHONE: 0800 699 0081

EMAIL: [email protected]

POST: FREEPOST TC CONSULTATION (no further address or stamp required)

WEBFORM: Contact us

Please note that the deadline for comments is 23:59 on Wednesday 16 October 2024.

How will the proposed project support the local community, economy and involve the local supply chain?

Mynydd Llanhilleth Wind Farm offers opportunities for considerable community benefits of various kinds, including the direct benefit of investment in the local area (and supply chain), and opportunity for employment generation. Pennant Walters ensures that community consideration and local ownership are integral to its wind farm proposals. Examples of previous projects and how they have contributed to the local community can be found on the Pennant Walters website (https://pennantwalters.co.uk/site).

Further information on community benefit, supply chain and economic investment opportunities can be found on the Community Benefits tab of this website.

 

Will there be opportunities for local ownership as part of this project?

Yes. We feel that this project could make a significant contribution to Welsh Government targets for local community ownership of at least 1GW by 2030.

Pennant Walters is very supportive of the principle of community ownership and has facilitated this on a number of its other renewable energy projects in South Wales. We will be exploring how best to involve the community in this for Mynydd Llanhilleth and will release further information soon.

Further information on community benefit, supply chain and economic investment opportunities can be found on the Community Benefits tab of this website.

Does this site cover Common Land?

Yes. Part of the site lies within an area of Common Land. There are specific considerations relating to the Common Land status of the area, such as whether the recreational and other uses of the site (such as grazing) might be impacted (especially during construction) and how any impact on rights of way can be mitigated will also be assessed. As part of this process, we hope to identify areas in which we may be able to improve management of parts of this Common Land, given that there are known challenges to the condition of the land, for example as a result of fly tipping.

In addition to main DNS application, secondary consent would be required under Section 16 and 38 of the Commons Act 2006. Applications under Section 38 of the Commons Act 2006 would be required for works on the common to facilitate construction activities. We have also identified areas of land to deregister from the Common to facilitate the construction and operation of a wind farm at the site. We have also identified replacement land of equivalent value and adequate proximity to the common. Further detail about this can be found on the Common Land page of this website.

Pennant Walters is currently in the process of agreeing this replacement land. These applications will be made as part of the application for Development of National Significance (DNS). The project is at an early stage in the planning process and more details will be shared as it progresses through the various stages.

Who are Pennant Walters?

Pennant Walters is Wales’ largest home-grown renewable energy developer. The company was formed in 2003 utilising the Walters Group Welsh land portfolio. Pennant Walters is part of the Walters Group based in Hirwaun - a local company operating nationally, employing up to 500 people in areas such as civil engineering, plant hire, renewable energy and general development.

The group has diversified significantly in the last 20 years. Since 2003 Pennant Walters has developed, built and now operates six wind farms in South Wales along with some solar for a total 127MW, making it Wales’ largest home-grown renewable energy developer. Our modus operandi is to develop a long-lasting relationship with all stakeholders including surrounding communities, landowners, local authority and regulators.
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