AN application to put 27 wind turbines near Llangurig has been submitted to the Infrastructure Planning Commission.
The windfarm would be sited at Sweet Lamb Farm and Rally Complex at Y Foel, Glanrhyd, approximately five miles from Llangurig.
The company which submitted the bid, Mynydd y Gwynt Ltd, was founded by the owner of the rally complex and now operates in conjunction with Renewable Energy Holdings Plc.
“It will have an installed capacity of up to 81 megawatts and includes 27 wind turbines, an on-site substation and access tracks,” Mynydd y Gwynt Ltd stated.
As the development would be more than 50 megawatts, the application will be dealt with by the IPC rather than Powys County Council’s planning committee, and local people will get the chance to have their say on the proposals.
“The site is remote and enjoys high wind speeds,” the developer stated. “It is located about seven kilometres east of an area of land identified by the Welsh Assembly Government as one of the seven strategic search areas... suitable for large scale wind energy generation.”
When the strategic search areas were identified, as part of TAN08, Mynydd y Gwynt was excluded from consideration because the Ministry of Defence used the area for flying practice.
The MoD subsequently withdrew its objection, “freeing up the site”, the developers have said.
A 56-day formal pre-application consultation began on Wednesday this week, and is due to end on Tuesday, July 26.
During this time Mynydd y Gwynt Ltd say they will “actively engage with local communities” in order to “encourage feedback”.
In September a public event will be held to inform residents of the outcome of the consultation and the final application will be submitted in late 2011.
You can view a non-technical ‘proposal summary document’ at www.mynyddygwynt.com
Those living within a six kilometre radius of the proposed development zone will be contacted directly, including Llangurig and Ponterwyd.
People living and working in a 15km radius would also be consulted as well as those whose transport routes may be affected.
You can find the consultation documents at Powys County Council offices in Llandrindod Wells (The Gwalia or County Hall); Neuadd Brycheiniog in Brecon; and Neuadd Maldwyn in Welshpool. The documents are also available to see at the following libraries: Llanidloes, Rhayader, Llandrindod, Newtown and Builth Wells.