PLANS to build a temporary 120 metre high mast to assess weather conditions at a site near Llandrindod Wells have been lodged with Powys County Council.
The proposal includes solar panels which would be used to drive the meteorological mast at a site 3.5km from Llandegley and 4.3km from New Radnor.
The mast would be intended to stay for three years, and the plans come from Nant Mithil Energy Park limited - the development vehicle for Bute Energy.
Planning agent Nia Russell of Turley said the mast plan is to gather data ahead of a future application for the Nant Mithil Wind Energy Park scheme.
She said: “The gathering of this data will play a key role in assessing the area’s wind characteristics for the preparation of a potential future wind turbine development in the area.
“The purpose of the mast is to measure wind speed and direction to facilitate an optimal renewable energy development that will, if successful, mitigate against climate change and address the climate emergency.”
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She said the mast would need to provide at least one year’s worth of data and would then be dismantled and removed with the site restored to its previous use.
Ms Russell added: “The proposed development is not considered to have any significant direct or indirect impacts on the Radnor Forest SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) or any priority habitat within 0.5km of the site.”
Powys planners are expected to decide the application by May 28.
The Nant Mithil Energy Park proposal could see electricity produced through wind and solar energy with a battery included to store the electricity.
It would eventually decided by the Welsh Government.
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Last year Bute energy held “early engagement” and consultation on the proposals for Nant Mithil and say they are reviewing the feedback.
The company is also holding its second round of consultation on the Green GEN Towy Usk project - a network of turbines taking energy from Nant Mithil to connect to the National Grid in Carmarthenshire.
Public meetings have been arranged in Llandrindod Wells to oppose the Nant Mithil, Green Gen Towy Usk project and the Bryn Gilwern Energy Park proposals for between Llandrindod and Builth Wells, also by Bute Energy.
Last month Bute Energy had a similar weather mast proposal for a site between the Glaslyn Nature Reserve and Llyn Clywedog between Llanbrynmair and Llanidloes refused by councillors on the Powys Planning committee, but says it will appeal.
In March 2023 a 120-metre weather mast proposal also associated with Nant Mithil and located to the south of Llanfihangel Rhydithon was approved by Powys planners.
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