Pennant Walters is developing proposals for a wind farm on a site at Mynydd Llanhilleth, which lies east of the settlements of Llanhilleth, Brynithel, Aberbeeg and Six Bells, and west of Pontnewnydd and Pontypool. The A472 runs along the valley to the south of the proposed site.
It is estimated that the wind farm will generate up to 48MW of electricity, which is equivalent to providing enough power to meet the annual electricity needs of approximately 24,000 homes[1].
This website will be updated regularly to keep you informed about the proposals and the upcoming public consultation, where we will be seeking views of local residents and consultees.
We are proposing to undertake pre-application community consultation prior to submitting an application to the Planning Inspectorate Wales. This will include a local public consultation period in June and July 2021 (see details below), followed by a formal consultation period later in the year as required by the DNS regulations set out in the Planning (Wales) Act 2015.
We are holding public exhibitions to provide further information about the proposals and to seek local feedback. These events will take place at the following locations and dates:
Given the current changeable Covid restrictions, we are also hosting all information online on a virtual exhibition, which can be accessed from this website.
Pennant Walters was founded in 2003 to develop renewable energy schemes as part of the Walters Group drive to develop sustainable, green projects on its land holdings. Walters Group is based at Hirwaun and employs 500 people across the business, many of those in South Wales.
Walters is a family company with a long history of operation across the valleys. Historically providing plant and services to the mining industry, the group now looks towards the delivery of greener energy and is bringing forward numerous new renewable energy projects across the region.
Currently Pennant Walters operates six wind farms in South Wales, generating 127MW of energy making it Wales’ largest home-grown renewable energy developer. All current and future planned wind projects are located within former coalfields – we are experts in delivering these schemes in areas that have historically been mined. Health and safety, respect for industrial heritage and co-operation with the local communities whose residents have lived in the area for generations are core to our operations.
We take all our sites from inception to operation, ensuring continuity for local community and stakeholders throughout the planning, construction, generation and decommissioning phases.
Further information about Pennant Walters can be found here.
Pennant Walters is seeking to develop a wind farm of up to 48MW 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:
At this stage, it is proposed that Mynydd Llanhilleth wind farm will comprise the following:
It is estimated that the wind farm will generate up to 48MW of electricity, which is equivalent to providing enough power to meet the annual electricity needs of approximately 24,000 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.
This site lies within an area of Common Land. There will be 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 planning consent, 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. It may also be necessary to deregister Common Land to facilitate the construction and operation of a wind farm at the site, and to secure replacement land of equivalent value and adequate proximity to the common.
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.
We are keen to hear from all those who may have an active (or passive) interest in the Common Land at Mynydd Llanhilleth. This includes all landowners, members of the Commoners Association, all active or passive commoners and anyone else with a legal interest in the land (such as tenants, and those with easements, other rights or covenants over the land).
We would also love to hear from anyone who uses the common in any way to help us build up an understanding of its current uses to help us develop our proposals in a way that minimises any impacts, and wherever possible, provides some benefit locally.
Please keep checking this website for further information about the Common Land consultation process, which will form part of the broader DNS pre-application consultation taking place across 2021. All documents, and information relevant to the Common Land consultation will be published on this page.
