Coriolis Energy & ESB announce dates for Phase Two pre application consultation for revised Y Bryn onshore wind farm proposals
October 2021
On the eve of COP26, the global meeting of leaders to discuss climate change in Glasgow, and as Welsh Government publishes their Net Zero Strategy, developers Coriolis Energy and ESB are inviting local communities and stakeholders to discuss the refined proposals for one of Wales’ largest onshore wind farms.
The consultation follows early consultation on initial proposals in the Summer, and the developers are once again seeking local opinion and feedback as part of its pre application consultation for the Project.
The revised proposals could deliver up to 138MW, enough clean energy to power over 100,000 homes – the equivalent of nearly all households within Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend combined – and represent a considerable contribution to carbon reduction targets in Wales.
The proposed wind turbines are located in two blocks of Welsh Government Woodland Estate managed by Natural Resources Wales which fall largely within Neath Port Talbot County Borough, but do stretch, in parts, into Bridgend County Borough. The Afan Valley and Neath lie to the west, with the Llynfi Valley and Maesteg to the east.
The project has seen some significant revisions since its initial proposals earlier this year, with the number of turbines in the current proposals dropping from 26 to 21, and many of the remaining turbines being reduced in size to address public feedback related to visual impact. Additional information has been provided relating to access, construction process, local benefit and environmental considerations.
The developers have reaffirmed their commitment to local community shared ownership and community benefit. Up to a fifth of the Project will be available for community and public sector ownership, which will contribute greatly to Welsh Government targets of having at least 1GW of renewable energy in community ownership by 2030. An industry leading community benefit fund, totalling upwards of £1million per year for the lifetime of the project has also been proposed. A new Co-Operative – Awel y Bryn Co-Op – is being considered to help manage this benefits package for the local community.
The first of five public consultation events will start on Monday 1st November at Bryn Village Hall
with the full schedule outlined below:
Bryn Community Centre
Maesteg Road, Bryn,
Neath Port Talbot, SA13 2RY
Monday 1st November, 2pm to 7pm
Cefn Cribwr Athletic Club
Cae Gof, Cefn Road, Cefn Cribwr,
Bridgend CF32 0BA
Tuesday 2nd November, 2pm to 7pm
Cwmafan Community Centre
Depot Road, Cwmafan, Port Talbot, SA12 9BA
(for Sat Nav, please use SA12 9DF)
Wednesday 3rd November, 2pm to 7pm
Maesteg Sports Centre
Old Forge Site
Nant-y-Crynwydd
Maesteg, CF34 9DS
Friday 5th November, 2pm to 7pm
Taibach Community Centre
Duke Street, Taibach,
Port Talbot,
SA13 1NA
Saturday 6th November, 12pm to 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.
Trevor Hunter, Y Bryn Project Manager said:
“We had a really good turnout to the first phase of consultation on Y Bryn Wind Farm, and lots of valuable feedback that has helped us refine the proposals.
“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”.
“As well as specific feedback on the wind farm itself, we’re also keen to understand further thoughts on the various opportunities for community ownership or in identifying areas in which the Project can deliver local community benefit. Understanding where we may be able to deliver benefit to forestry users in the area is also really important to us.
“Potential supply chain partners are also being invited to register their interest, in line with a strong commitment to maximising local economic benefit.”
“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.”
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.
For more details on how to feedback you can visit, www.ybryn-windfarm.cymru, where you can also register for regular updates as the Project progresses.
