CPRW urges community to have say on massive Radnor Forest wind farm proposal

26.09.2022

The Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales (CPRW) is urging the Communities of New Radnor, Penybont and the surrounding areas to have their say on proposals for thirty-six huge wind turbines, each 220m high, that would cover most of the Radnor Forest area, which forms the landscape gateway to Wales on the scenic A44 route.

A CPRW spokesperson says developers Bute Energy, who are also proposing wind farm sites at Banc Du & Rhiwlas Energy Parks, have launched an “Early Engagement Program” seeking views on their proposals to develop a wind farm on the misleadingly named ‘Nant Mithil’:

“It seems that this proposal has been named after just one small brook on the southwestern edge of the site, despite it covering almost 2,000 ha, or most of Radnor Forest.

“The site covers the western half of this major upland landscape – much of which is Open Access Land – that stetches from Fishpools on the A488 near Bleddfa to just north of the Fforest Inn on the A 44 with overall dimensions of almost 10km (6.2 miles) by 6km (3.8 miles)!” said the spokesperson.

Bute Energy will be holding two public consultations on the proposed development (that might include solar):

• 3pm to 8pm, Wednesday 28^th September at New Radnor Community Centre
• 3pm to 8pm Thursday 29^th September at Penybont District Community Centre

There is also a webinar 6pm to 7pm on Tuesday 4^th October – head to www.nantmithilenergypark.wales/ to register or for more information.

A CPRW spokesperson added that this proposal is a significant development: “The proposal for Nant Mithil energy park, in the landscape better known to locals as the Radnor Forest, is a huge development that will dominate the area and in due course would extend its tentacles across hillsides, and surrounding valleys with electricity pylons – when the try to connect it to the National Grid.

“I would urge as many people as possible in local communities to have their say on this proposal.

“Whilst the developers are proposing to have underground power cables from the turbines to the substation, a huge overground infrastructure development of pylons stretching across the landscape would be needed to connect it to the National Grid across the English Border.

“There are plenty of ‘oven ready’ sites for wind farm developers where they can plug in directly to the national grid. So, I cannot fathom why Bute Energy would want to develop on the Radnor Forest where the site isn’t even close to being connected!

Notes to editor:

More info on the Nant Mithil proposal can be found here: https://nantmithilenergypark.wales/