Controversial wind farm plans between Port Talbot and Maesteg revamped – but they’ll still have tallest turbines in the UK 

The latest plans for one of Wales’ largest onshore wind farms have been released for the second round of public consultation.

The revised proposal follows consultation over the summer, where Coriolis Energy and the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) released plans to build 26 wind turbines in a semi-rural area between Port Talbot and Maesteg.

The initial project proposed the tallest turbines in the UK, measuring 250 metres high and 170 metres in rotor diameter. The UK’s highest wind turbine is located at Lethans, Scotland, measuring 200 metres tall.

Many residents expressed their concerns over the size and quantity of the turbines, as well as concerns over the loss of green space, and more than a thousand locals have joined the Stop Y Bryn Wind Farm online group.

You can read about the ways climate change is going to drastically alter life in Wales here.

Now, in phase 2 of the consultation period, revisions on the original proposal have been made.

The updated plans include:

Reducing the number of proposed turbines from 26 to 21.
Removing turbines with the greatest potential impact on the village of Bryn, and also heritage assets and views from Margam Park.
Reducing the height of all turbines in the northern Penhydd block, to minimise potential impacts on Bryn, Cwmafan, Maesteg and surrounding nearby communities.
Relocating some turbines to reduce specific localised impacts around their siting.
Clarifying points related to access, maintenance, wildlife and habitat management, as well as clearer information about community benefit

However, the new proposals show plans for turbines between 206m and 250m tall, meaning they will still be the tallest wind turbines in the UK.

Trevor Hunter, Y Bryn Project Manager said: “We’re looking forward to presenting these refined plans and meeting with local communities, discussing the proposals and hearing everyone’s thoughts. We’ve made some quite important changes to the proposals, including removing five turbines, and reducing many of the remaining in height.”

The project manager also stressed they’re keen for further feedback on thoughts regarding opportunities for community ownership or ways the project can deliver a local community benefit.

He stressed: “These are still not the final plans, so there is scope for further refinement prior to the project being submitted to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales in Spring next year.”

Bridgend County Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Stuart Baldwin, said: “It is important that as many residents continue to contribute their views on this project at the upcoming public and virtual sessions.

“While not a project proposed by the local authority, we want to ensure that as many people take part in the consultation as possible because this project is likely to evolve over time.

“If successful, this significant scheme promises to deliver clean energy to more than 125,000 homes. There will, however, be a significant visual impact as the project comprises 21 turbines and associated infrastructure such as battery storage facilities, substations and access tracks.”
Face to face consultations

Tuesday, November 2 – Cefn Cribwr Athletic Club, Cae Gof, Cefn Road, Cefn Cribwr (CF32 0BA) between 2pm-7pm

Wednesday, November 3 – Cwmafan Community Centre, Depot Road, Cwmafan (SA12 9BA) between 2pm-7pm

Friday, November 5 – Maesteg Sports Centre, Old Forge Site, Nant-y-Crynwydd, Maesteg (CF34 9DS) between 2pm-7pm

Saturday, November 6 – Taibach Community Centre, Duke Street, Taibach (SA13 1NA)between 12pm-4pm

An online virtual exhibition will be available throughout the pre-application public consultation process for those who wish to find out about and provide feedback on the Project via digital means.

The company also confirmed that whilst every effort was being made to provide face to face consultation events, should a change to current lockdown rules occur, regular updates will be made on the project website.