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A firm behind plans for a windfarm straddling both Caerphilly and Torfaen county boroughs could be in dispute with both councils over access to important mineral resources. 

Areas on Mynydd Maen common, which runs across the boundary between the two local authorities, have previously been identified as aggregate safeguarding areas, which limits development in case of the need to extract materials such as sand and gravel from there. 

Torfaen Borough Council planning officer Justin Jones told members of Torfaen’s planning committee the areas have to be protected from development as minerals “can’t be moved” – and there is a requirement for each region to ensure a sufficient supply. 

But he said the proposals for a 13-turbine wind farm, put forward by Renewable Energy Systems, could impact that. 

As a result, Torfaen Council is maintaining its view that the wind farm, with turbines that would be 149-metres tall to their blade tip, would have a negative impact – including on neighbouring residential properties, the landscape, and protected bats.

Mr Jones explained that along Mynydd Maen common, which is to the east of Newbridge and Crumlin, there are sandstone deposits and a special aggregate which he said is “used in road grit, the stuff that slows you down.” 

Concern over the impact on the safeguarding areas were raised by both councils during the consultation.

The planning application is set to be decided by the Welsh Government’s Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) body.

The safeguarding areas also include “blasting zones” as explosives would be needed to extract the materials. 

“A number of turbines are within the potential blasting zones and that is the concern we’ve raised,” said Mr Jones. 

However he said the firm disputes claims the plans are a risk to the safeguarding of the minerals, as it doesn’t accept they would likely be extracted during the 35- to 40-year lifespan of the wind farm. 

Mr Jones said it will be for the PEDW-appointed inspector to determine if the responses adequately address the concerns.