A youth centre which faced an uncertain future earlier this year has received a further boost in its bid for survival, after councillors approved proposals to erect a wind turbine.
Senghenydd Youth Drop-In Centre (SYDIC) was seeking planning permission to build the renewable energy source on Senghenydd mountain, near Graig-yr-Hufen Farm, and will use the money generated from the sale of electricity to fund its services.
In March, SYDIC’s Communities First funding was cut by more than 50%, and with their future looking bleak, the centre received timely funding from Caerphilly County Borough Council in August.
Proceeds from the sale of generated electricity could be as much as £50,000 a year, which will go directly into funding youth services at the centre, which was established in 1997.
The wind turbine will be owned by Aber Valley Community Turbine Group, which was set up to manage and consult on the construction and maintenance of the turbine.
Planning permission was granted at the council’s planning committee meeting on Wednesday October 12, with councillors considering the need to provide renewable energy, as well as the benefits to the community, outweighing any suggestion the wind turbine would prove an eyesore to the local area.
Dave Brunton, Project Manager at SYDIC said: “Obviously we’re really pleased planning permission has gone ahead, and with no real dissention, which we thank the community for.
“The Aber Valley Community Turbine Group will activate now, and we’ll be meeting to discuss funding options, and how best to move forward.
“The turbine will be the first community-owned turbine in Caerphilly, and that’s a massive step for the community in terms of income.”