Developers Coriolis Energy and ESB are inviting local communities and stakeholders to discuss the project in order to gather local opinion and feedback as part of its initial round of pre application consultation for the Project, which is due to deliver up to 170MW of renewable energy.
This scheme would deliver enough clean energy to power over 125,000 homes – the equivalent of approximately all households within Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend combined – and represent a considerable contribution to carbon reduction targets in Wales*.
The proposed wind farm is 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 developers have also confirmed that 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, multi-million-pound community benefit fund has also been proposed as part of the project.
The first of five public consultation events will start on Monday 21st June at Maesteg RFC
with the full schedule outlined below:
Maesteg RFC
Llynfi Road, Maesteg, CF34 9DS
Monday 21st June 2021, 1pm – 7pm
Bryn Community Centre
Maesteg Road, Bryn, Neath Port Talbot, SA13 2RY
Tuesday 22nd June 2021, 1pm – 7pm
Cwmafan Community Engagement Centre
Depot Road, Port Talbot, SA12 9DF
Wednesday 23rd June, 1pm – 7pm
Cefn Cribwr Athletic Club
Cae Gof, Cefn Road, Cefn Cribwr, Bridgend CF32 0BA
Thursday 24th June, 1pm – 7pm
Taibach Community Centre
Duke Street, Taibach, Neath Port Talbot, SA13 1NA
Saturday 26th June, 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.
Trevor Hunter, Y Bryn Project Manager said:
“This is the first chance for the general public to attend a public consultation event and find out more about this important project and provide feedback.
“We’re looking forward to meeting with local communities, discussing the proposals and hearing everyone’s initial thoughts on the plans. As well as specific feedback on the wind farm itself, we’re keen to understand thoughts on the various opportunities for community ownership or in identifying areas in which the Project can deliver local community benefit.
“Potential supply chain partners are also being invited to register their interest, in line with a strong commitment to maximising local economic benefit.”
“We have further consultation scheduled for later this year and early 2022, prior to our submitting an application to the Planning Inspectorate Wales.”
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.
