July 2025
Mynydd Maen Action Group news update for CPRW newsletter, July 2025
We have four applications for renewable energy developments within the same couple of kilometres on Mynydd Maen. These will all interlink and share infrastructure eventually, if consented. The Inspector is currently considering whether to consider the cumulative impacts of Mynydd Maen and Trecelyn at the same time. Of the active proposals, here is a progress report:
- Cil-lonydd 92 acre solar (Cenin) – paused until 3rd July 2025
You may recall that two members of the Mynydd Maen Action Group visited the site and used the provided locations to repeat the peat sampling depths that had been reported on a cable route across common land. We showed that Cenin’s sampling report was full of errors and inconsistencies, in terms of sampling locations and conditions. On 25th June, NRW responded to Cenin’s response to this. NRW propose that the peat survey is repeated. In addition, pockets of deeper peat (40-50 cm) were discovered in the solar array field. In their letter, NRW have reminded Cenin of PPW12 and the stepwise approach, requiring peat to be avoided above all else.
- Trecelyn 4 x 145 m turbine wind (Pennant Walters) – paused until 1st Sept 2025
The deadline for comments on further information was 23rd June. The Mynydd Maen Action Group replied criticising:
- the plan to fell over 70 native trees, some veteran and many Grade A, to form a ‘bat buffer zone’ around 3 of the turbines – disproportionate destruction in return for a very low contribution to Wales’ national renewable energy targets
- inadequate consultation – citing the Gunning Principles for consultations (attaching the opinion of Charles Banner, KC 19/06/2025 to underpin relevance).
- a confused and conflicting site plan
- Mynydd Maen – 13 x 150 m turbines (RES) – paused until the end of Sept 2025
The deadline to object to this application was 19th May 2025. The main points of our challenge were:
- inadequate community engagement
- landscape and visual, particularly on the town of Cwmbran
- impacts on peat, wildlife and habitats
- traffic impact on local communities
- cumulative impacts with other developments
- Rhyswg 4 x 180 m turbine wind (Pennant Walters) – still in the research phase.
[instagram-feed feed=1]
