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A developer’s bid to make minor changes to already-approved plans for a new 14-turbine wind farm have been recommended for approval by officers in a neighbouring authority.
The Twyn Hywel Energy Park would straddle the border between Caerphilly County Borough and neighbouring Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) – being located between Senghenydd, Nelson, and Cilfynydd.
Of the 14 turbines, 11 would be in Caerphilly County Borough, with three in RCT.
Bute Energy has submitted its bid to amend the proposals to both Caerphilly and RCT councils.
The application seeks to increase the planned rotor diameter of the turbines from 155 metres to 163 metres, raise the height of the on-site transformer from six to eleven metres, and enlarge the grid connection corridor.
Permission for the plans was granted in November 2024 after the scheme was classed as a Development of National Significance (DNS) and approved by the Welsh Government.
According to the planning statement submitted with the latest application to RCT Council, the proposed amendments comply with the original permission. The hub height of each turbine would also be reduced from 122.5 metres to 118.5 metres to ensure the maximum tip height remains at 200 metres.
The transformer and grid connection corridor are located entirely within Caerphilly County Borough.
A planning report confirms that each council will consider only the amendments relevant to their jurisdiction. For RCT, this means assessing the proposed increase in rotor diameter for the three turbines within its boundary.
RCT planning officers have recommended approval, subject to an updated Section 106 agreement. Their report states: “The proposed amendments to the scheme are considered relatively minor and would not result in a discernible difference to the character and appearance of the previously approved development, nor would they cause any additional impacts to local amenities or highway safety.”
They add that, with no material change in circumstances since the original consent, there is no reason to object to the variation of Condition Two to allow the scheme to be amended.
The application is due to be considered by RCT’s planning committee on Thursday November 6. No objections have been received from residents.
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