Wind farm turbines would be 'absolutely monstrous'

COUNCIL planners have found that a proposed windfarm on a mountain in Wales with the potential to power thousands of homes would have a negative impact.

- JONATHON HILL & TWM OWEN

As a development of national significance, the proposed Mynydd Maen windfarm on the mountain overlooking Cwmbran will be decided on by the Welsh Government.

Torfaen council has also been tasked with compiling a local impact report investigating the potential pros and cons of the windfarm, which could see 13 turbines each standing at 149m to the blade tip.

The new report indicates that the development would negatively affect both the landscape and visual amenity of Torfaen, as well as the residential amenity.

Torfaen council's planning committee discussed the findings during their May meeting, submitted to the Welsh planning body Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW).

An issue of particular concern for councillors was the risk the turbines pose to birds of prey, with an estimated two fatalities per day possible.

The planned site is around one kilometre west of Cwmbran and two east of Newbridge and spans 376 hectares. Around 120 hectares are in Torfaen and the remainder falls under the jurisdiction of Caerphilly council.

It also stretches into both the Abercarn visually important local landscape area and partially into Torfaen's designated special upland landscape area.