Planning permission to extract coal from Cwm yr Onen Opencast Colliery expired in October 2006. Bryn Bach Coal have now submitted a planning application to Carmarthenshire Council (E15851), and Neath Port Talbot to extend the opencast mine over a two-year period.The plans show that the opencast mine will extend further onto Mynydd y Betws, and into the proposed wind turbine site.
Bryn Bach propose to extract 380 tonnes of coal per week.
This will be transported in 18, 21 tonne loads using the existing approved route accessing the Baron Road and turning right across Mynydd y Betws, past the Scotch Pine and down Maesquarre Road into Ammanford.
The lorries will then use the A474/483 to Llandybie and the B4556 to access their washery at Blaenau.
We are often asked the question: “Would you prefer opencast mining or wind turbines?”
After speaking to a member of the Carmarthenshire Council planning department, it seems it is conceivable planning permission could be given to both opencast and wind turbines on Mynydd y Betws, with certain conditions attached.
Janet Jones
Lon y Felin, Garnswllt
South Wales Evening Post
22 May 2007
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/05/23/risk-of-us-having-both/