Pennant Walters is developing Mynydd Carn-y-Cefn Wind Farm in Blaenau Gwent

11 March 2024 – PLANNING PERMISSION GRANTED

Following the examination process, the Inspector recommended ‘planning permission is granted for the development subject to conditions.’ 

Following review of the Inspector’s report, Julie James AS/MS, Minister for Climate Change, granted planning permission subject to conditions.

“I agree with the Inspector’s appraisal of the main considerations, the conclusions of the IR and the reasoning behind them, and I accept the recommendation. Therefore, I hereby grant planning permission for DNS/3270299, subject to the conditions in the Annex to this decision letter.”

A copy of the Inspector’s report and Julie James’ decision letter can be viewed on PEDW’s website:  https://planningcasework.service.gov.wales/case

2 AUGUST 2023 – NOTICE OF HEARING SESSIONS

Notice has been given that an Inspector appointed by the Welsh Ministers, Melissa Hall BA(Hons), BTP, MSc, MRTPI will hold Hearing Sessions on:

Wednesday 30 August 2023 at 10:30 (Session 1) and 14:00 (Session 2) and
Wednesday 13 September 2023 at 10:30 (Session 3)

These Sessions will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams.

The purpose of the Hearings is for the Inspector to hear evidence relating to: Character and Appearance (Hearing Session 1), Planning Conditions (Hearing Session 2) and Other Matters (Hearing Session 3).

Please note that although the events are open to members of the public to observe, only those specifically invited by the Inspector are entitled to participate. Anyone wishing to observe proceedings should lodge a request with Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) by Wednesday 16 August 2023 using the contact details at the bottom of the Notice.

Please ensure all correspondence quotes the Application reference number – DNS/3270299 – Mynydd Carn-y-Cefn Wind Farm.

Click here to view the Statutory Notice.

28 APRIL 2023 – UPDATE ON PEDW’s DETERMINATION PERIOD

The determination period has been further suspended due to a formal request under Regulation 15(2) of the DNS Regulations for further information from the Applicant and Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council.

The suspension will last for 10 weeks to allow time for the submission of additional information and to allow PEDW to undertake a 5 Week publicity and consultation period in respect of the additional information.

The deadline for submission is Wednesday 17 May and the additional information submitted will be made available on the Planning Casework Portal under reference number ‘3270299’ on the following link: https://planningcasework.service.gov.wales/

The 5-week period for the submission of representations will end on Wednesday 28 June, which is also when the determination period will resume.

Following the statutory consultation held from 24 May to 8 July 2022, Pennant Walters has submitted its proposals for Mynydd Carn-y-Cefn wind farm – located to the west of Abertillery within the administrative boundary of Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council (BGCBC).

The responses to the consultation have been documented, considered and acted upon as appropriate by the project team, with the following amends made to the proposals, including:

  • Implementing appropriate mitigation measures in the form of curtailment of certain turbines to reduce the risk to bats.
  • Undertaking Dormouse surveys.
  • Retaking viewpoint photos 21, 22 and 23 due to atmospheric haze.
  • Further specialist desk-based mining risk assessment work has been commissioned to inform the pre-construction stage.
  • A mitigation plan has been agreed with Cadw, which now forms part of the application documents and will be implemented to mitigate any significant effects on the historic environment.

The application is now with Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) where it will be considered by an Inspector before the final decision is made by Welsh Ministers.

Anyone who wishes to view the application can do so by searching reference number ‘3270299’ at https://planningcasework.service.gov.wales/. The deadline for comments is 4 January 2023.

Developments of National Significance

As the proposed wind farm 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 Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) and considered by an Inspector with the final decision made by Welsh Ministers.

Although the wind farm application will ultimately be determined by Welsh Ministers, BGCBC and the local communities are key consultees, and we are keen to hear your views on the proposals.

About Pennant Walters

The proposals are being developed by Pennant Walters, a subsidiary of Walters Group; a local company based at Hirwaun and operating nationally. Pennant Walters has developed, built and now operates six wind farms and solar development in South Wales (on land very typical of the south Wales coalfield with both surface and underground mine features), generating a total of 127MW, making it Wales’ largest home-grown renewable energy developer.

Pennant Walters is committed to informing, engaging and consulting through the design and planning process, to ensure local communities and stakeholders have an opportunity to contribute their views and help shape the emerging proposals.

Policy support

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 Carn-y-Cefn site in Blaenau Gwent lies within an identified Pre-Assessed Area for the provision of wind farms.

In September 2020, Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council declared a climate emergency supporting the Welsh Government’s ambition for the public sector in Wales to be Carbon Neutral by 2030. The Council is currently assessing its potential for renewable energy generation as part of its forthcoming Deposit Local Plan.