Wind farm plans take step forward

Plans for a wind farm in the Welsh countryside have progressed at committee.Rhondda Cynon Taf’s planning and development committee has agreed the local impact report for the wind farm of up to 14 turbines.The applicant Twyn Hywel Energy Park Ltd is seeking full planning permission for the construction and operation of the development on land north of Senghenydd.A report for Rhondda planners had recommended that members approve the council’s local impact report. Now with the approval, this will be submitted to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) to assist the appointed Welsh Government Inspector in the determination of the application.The site will be known as Twyn Hywel Energy Park, with it straddling the boundary between Rhondda Cynon Taf and Caerphilly County boroughs. Three of the 14 turbines would be located within the boundary of Rhondda Cynon Taf.Proposals indicate that each turbine could be up to a maximum height of 200m to blade tip.The scheme qualifies as a “Development of National Significance”, with the installed generating capacity exceeding 10MW. It means that Welsh ministers rather than the local planning authority will decide the application, with the process administered by PEDW.