Projects

Proposed location

Pentre Tump, Llanfihangel Nant Melan, Powys

Background to the site at Pentre Tump

Cornwall Light and Power is applying for planning permission to install three wind turbines on land at Pentre Tump. The three proposed wind turbines would be 95 metres each in height, and could collectively provide enough clean, emissions-free electricity to power more than 2,000 homes each year (up to 9,224 Megawatt hours). They would also contribute towards the UK's renewable energy targets.¹

What’s happening?

Please visit the Latest News section for press releases relevant to this site.

May 2010

Renewable energy company, Cornwall Light & Power, has announced that it plans to appeal against the decision to refuse an application for a wind farm at Pentre Tump in Powys.  The decision, announced in February, came seven years after a planning application was first submitted.

If successful in its appeal, Cornwall Light & Power’s proposed scheme would generate electricity sufficient to meet the energy needs of more than 2,000 homes in Powys.  The Welsh Assembly Government currently has an 82% shortfall against its 2010 renewable energy targets, with a national aim of becoming energy self-sufficient within 20 years. 

During the planning process for Pentre Tump, specific concerns were raised regarding grid connection and shadow flicker.  As part of its appeal, Cornwall Light & Power will therefore be presenting information to reassure the planning inspector that neither issue presents a significant problem. Visualisations of the proposed site will also be prepared to allay concerns that the site would have an adverse affect on the landscape.

In addition, after three trial runs the company has previously demonstrated that the temporary, sixteen week construction process would not create any significant adverse impact on the highway infrastructure.  The company’s research indicates that the construction process would generate an average of just one construction vehicle movement per hour on the unclassified U1476 road, mainly involving cars and other light vehicles.

Commenting on the appeal announcement, development manager Bob Morgan said:

“We remain convinced that Pentre Tump is the best site in Powys for a small wind farm and would be happy to discuss with any interested parties why we believe this is the case.  I’ve offered to meet with each of the community councils and most local residents to discuss our plans and explain the considerable benefits of the scheme.  I’d also like to invite anyone wanting further information to call me on 07883 066188 or email me at bobmorgan@clpwindprojects.co.uk.”

February 2010

Powys County Council's planning committee considered Cornwall Light & Power's proposals on 2 February 2010 and decided to reject the planning application. Commenting on the decision, Bob Morgan, Development Manager at Cornwall Light and Power, said: “We are naturally disappointed by the committee decision and will await the formal notice from Powys County Council before deciding what action to take. However, we continue to believe that Pentre Tump is one of the best sites in Powys for a renewable energy project of this type.

“The scheme would deliver significant benefits, not least in providing clean, emissions-free electricity to power the equivalent of all homes within the boundaries of the three local Community Councils and many more elsewhere in Powys. Local residents would also benefit from us providing significant annual donations to a community fund.

“In addition, there is a clear need for Wales to begin implementing schemes of this type if future renewable energy targets are to be met.  For example, there is currently an 82 per cent shortfall against the targets for renewable energy set by the Welsh Assembly Government.  Our proposal represents a strong opportunity for Powys to play its part in meeting these targets.”

January 2010

We have produced a Planning Application Summary document which gives information on the proposed site and details the submissions we have made to Powys County Council since originally submitting our application. To view a copy, please see ‘Site resources’ below.

Powys County Council is due to meet on 2 February 2010 to determine the planning application.

July 2009

This month we successfully completed an access trial to the proposed site. The purpose of this trial was to identify precisely what highways works are required in order to facilitate the safe delivery of the wind turbine components to site via the U1476, and to therefore ensure minimum local disruption during the construction period. As a result of the trial, we prepared a report that explained these requirements to Powys County Council.

Site resources

Pentre Tump Planning Application Summary (dated January 2010) – 2.2MB PDF

¹ Figure for numbers of households potentially served based on Government figures for average household consumption