New wind farm gets green light despite objections

Five 180m (590ft) high wind turbines will be built on land at Cefn Manmoel common near Ebbw Vale

A new onshore wind farm has been approved after recent criticism over delays to green energy planning decisions.

RenewableUK Cymru warned Wales risked "falling behind the rest of the UK" in the race to meet clean power targets.

Plans to build five 180m (590ft) high wind turbines on land at Cefn Manmoel common near Ebbw Vale, Blaenau Gwent, have now been given the go-ahead by the Welsh government.

Developer Cenin Renewables lodged plans with the Welsh government's planning inspectors Pedw in August 2023 for the wind turbines, on-site sub-station, underground cables and associated works.

It said the proposed development could generate enough clean electricity to meet the needs of about 20,000 homes.

There had been objections to the plans citing numerous concerns, including by Blaenau Gwent council, which described the overall impact of the scheme as "negative" for the area.

The council said there was a lack of information about the likely effect on biodiversity, cultural heritage and private water supplies.

In its report, the inspectors said they were satisfied these would not be affected detrimentally.

They noted there would be significant visual impact on the character of the landscape from certain parts of Bannau Brycheiniog national park, also known as the Brecon Beacons, but as there were already developments in the same area that would be diluted.

They also said the project's "meaningful contribution" to the Welsh government's plans for large-scale renewable projects outweighed the harm.

The Manmoel scheme was one of three onshore windfarms highlighted by RenewableUK Cymru when it accused the Welsh government recently of being too slow to decide on planning applications.

The other two are on a larger scale and are yet to learn their fate.

An artist's impression shows how the wind turbines might look

They are EDF's Garn Fach wind farm, south of Newtown, Powys, which has been waiting for more than two years.

RenewableUK Cymru said decisions on energy projects deemed to be Developments of National Significance (DNS) were meant to happen within 10 months.

The other is the Twyn Hywel wind farm, located north of Senghenydd in Caerphilly county.

It is the first of a swathe of projects planned across Wales by Bute Energy, which have sparked considerable backlash in some communities. 

Both schemes are held up as the Welsh government considers its policy on whether green energy developments like this can be built on peatland - areas which soak up and store carbon dioxide and are important habitats for wildlife.

It is understood the developers have been told to expect an update before 22 November.