www.engena.co.uk
CEFN Y MAES COMMUNITY RENEWABLE ENERGY PARK Pre-Application Consultation Report
PREPARED ON BEHALF OF
FEBRUARY 2017
PREFACE
This Pre-Application Consultation Report forms part of the planning application documentation submitted for the proposed Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park. A complete Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is provided for the proposal and is reported within the Environmental Statement (ES) that comprises three volumes. The volumes of the complete ES are described in the following table, along with the additional documentation submitted with the planning application by the applicant (Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park Limited).
Document Title Contents
Non-Technical Summarises the proposal and the key conclusions ES Volume 1 Summary of the EIA for the non-technical reader ES Volume 2 Written Statement Presents the full assessments of the EIA Presents the appendices referred ES Volume 2 Appendices to in the Written Statement Presents the figures referred to in the Written Statement and the visualisations referred Figures and ES Volume 3 to in the Landscape and Visual Impact Visualisations Assessment (LVIA) and Heritage Assessment, both within the Written Statement. Design and Access Describes the site design approach and evolution, Statement and proposed access to and within the site. Planning Pre-Application Describes the pre-application consultation Application Consultation Report procedure and responses received. Documents Summarises the planning policy Planning Statement context of the proposal.
Printed copies of all three volumes in addition to the Planning Statement, Design and Access Statement and Pre-Application Consultation Report are available at: •• Powys Council Offices, Spa Road East, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 5LG; •• Llanfyllin Public Library, Youth and Community Centre, Llanfyllin, Powys, SY22 5BB; and •• Oswestry Public Library, Arthur Street, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 1JN. The above locations also have computer facilities to view the document through the project specific website at www.cefnymaes.co.uk or via Powys Council website, planning section. Additional printed copies can be purchased at a cost of £500 +VAT or digital versions on CD- ROM at a cost of £10 +VAT. To order copies, please contact Engena Limited at:
The Old Stables, Bosmere Hall, Kettle Lane, Creeting St Mary, IP6 8LL.
3
PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
Contents
Introduction 6
Pre-Application Consultation Methodology 7
Responses to Consultation 15
Impacts Identified, By topic 77
Conclusions 80
References 81
Appendix 1 - Site Notice Copy and On-site Record 82
Appendix 2 - Copy of Schedule 1B Notice 85
Appendix 3 - Copy of Schedule 1C Notice 87
Appendix 4 - Distributed Consultation Documents 89
5 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
INTRODUCTION
PAC1 This document provides a detailed report of the consultation approach, methods, and responses received during a specific pre-application consultation period for the Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park. The document goes on to set out how matters raised by consultees have been incorporated in the final Environmental Statement and associated Planning Application Documentation, and finally draws conclusions from the consultation exercise. PAC2 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park Limited is proposing the development of a single wind turbine, ground mounted photovoltaic solar panel array and energy storage facility, on land approximately 1km north of Cefn Canol and 2.2km north-west of Rhydycroesau. PAC3 Due to the scale of the proposal (development area over 1ha), in accordance with Article 2 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (Wales) Order 2012, Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park constitutes major development. PAC4 In advance of submission, pre-application consultation was undertaken with the local community. Residents and businesses surrounding the proposed development have been consulted upon the plans for the Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park in accordance with Article 1 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (Wales) (Amendment) Order 2016. PAC5 The methods of public consultation undertaken by REG Power Management in collaboration with Engena (together forming Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park Limited) for this proposal were developed from many years experience and guided by best practice from within the wind and solar industry. The scope of public consultation is considered appropriate for the scale and type of development proposed and is in full accordance with Article 1 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (Wales) (Amendment) Order 2016. Hereafter, this order may simply be referred to as ‘Article 1 (2016)’ PAC6 The specific requirements of a Pre-Application Report are provided by the Article 1 Guidance on Pre-application Consultation document (2016). For ease of reference the requirements are tabulated below with cross reference to where the matters can be found within this report.
6 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
Table PAC1 - Required contents of the Pre-Application Report according to Article 1 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (Wales) (Amendment) Order 2016
Paragraph 44 Requirement Location in PAC a) a copy of the site notice; Appendix 1 b) a declaration that the site notice was displayed in accordance From Paragraph with the statutory requirements, i.e. in at least one place on or PAC10 on near the development site for no less than 28 days; page 8 c) a copy of the site notice given to owners and occupiers of Appendix 2 adjoining land; d) copies of all notices provided to councillors, town and Appendix 2 and community councils, and specialist consultees; Appendix 3 e) a summary of all issues raised in response to the statutory From Paragraph publicity (i.e. site notice and letters to owners, occupiers) PAC51 on - the developer must confirm whether the issues have been page 77 addressed and, if so, how they have been addressed; and f) copies of all responses received from specialist consultees Table PAC2 with a reference to where each response has been addressed by the developer.
PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION METHODOLOGY
PAC7 As described at Paragraph PAC5 on page 6, the approach to consultation has been developed over many years experience in the renewables sector. The developer considers public consultation to be an important part of the planning process and will always undertake a level of public consultation proportionate to the scale of the proposed development. PAC8 In the case of the Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park, the proposal is considered to be Major Development and is assessed through EIA. The development involves a single wind turbine, small solar array and energy storage facility with associated infrastructure and so could be considered to be relatively small compared to the scope of what could comprise major development. PAC9 Consultation in this case therefore, is approached principally by contacting relevant community and specialist consultees and seeking views of the potential environmental impacts. The level of consultation proposed was discussed with Powys County Council ahead of mobilising. The Council agreed that an approach in line with (Article 1 of) the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (Wales) (Amendment) Order 2016 would be appropriate.
7 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
Site Notice
PAC10 In accordance with Paragraph 3, bullet point, of Article 1 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (Wales) (Amendment) Order 2016 a site notice in the form of Schedule 1B to the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (Wales) (Amendment) Order 2016 was placed at three locations near to the proposed Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park. PAC11 A site notice was placed at: •• the existing farm entrance which will form the site entrance for the proposal; •• the Public Right of Way (PRoW) running adjacent to the south border of the proposed development area; and •• the noticeboard at Rhydycroesau Village Hall. PAC12 The proposed site is in a relatively remote location, so to provide the best coverage of notice to residents in the wider area, the third site notice in Rhydycroesau was considered appropriate. The locations listed at Paragraph PAC11 are shown in plan form relative to the site at Plate PAC1. A photographic record of the notices in place is contained at Appendix 1, along with a copy of the erected site notice. PAC13 The guidance states that at least one site notice should be placed on or near the land of the proposed application. Thereby the applicant for Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park has exceeded the requirements on this point. PAC14 Notices were erected on Wednesday 18th January 2017, and regularly checked during the pre-application consultation period to ensure they were still in place and legible. No replacements notices were needed during the consultation period, which ended on Monday 20th February 2017. The period during which site notices were on display lasted 33 days, in excess of the 28-day minimum requirement of the guidance.
8 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
© Crown Copyright. All rights reserved, 2017. Licence number 0100031673. Scale; 1:20 000 at A4
Proposed Development Location Site Notice Locations
Plate PAC1 - Location of site notices relative to proposed renewable energy park Consultation Website
PAC15 During the Environmental Impact Assessment phase for the proposed Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park, a dedicated project website was published (www.cefnymaes.co.uk). PAC16 This website acted as a platform to host the draft Environmental Statement for reference during the pre-application consultation period. The information consulted upon was available from 4pm on 23rd January 2017 to 22nd February 2017: allowing over 28 days to access the draft documentation (as required by Article 1 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (Wales) (Amendment) Order 2016). PAC17 The key documents that form the planning application were published in draft form. The documents that were available on the project website for the duration of the pre- application public consultation period were:
9 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
•• Environmental Statement Volume 2 - Written Statement; •• Environmental Statement Volume 3 - Figures and Visualisations; and the Design and Access Statement. PAC18 Volume 1 of the Environmental Statement was omitted at the pre-application stage as it provides no additional information to that in Volumes 2 and 3. It is a significantly condensed version of the ES and so for the purposes of transparency and providing the key information available at the draft stage of the application it was not appropriate to publish the Non-Technical Summary until the assessments and other application documents were finalised. PAC19 A contact form was available on the website from its launch, and remains active, to allow comments and queries about the proposed development to be directed to the applicant. Comments received via the website during the pre-application consultation period have been considered in this report from Paragraph PAC44 on page 15. PAC20 The Article 1 Guidance (2016) encourages the use of web based material for speed and convenience of consultation. A copy of the website screen view (taken 23rd January 2017) is provided at Appendix 4. Local Planning Authority
PAC21 Consultation took place with the Local Planning Authority from early stages of the project planning, through screening and scoping and during the subsequent Environmental Impact Assessment process. Powys County Council Officers provided information and clarification of the scope for matters such as the landscape and visual impact assessment and definitive routes of public access within the site vicinity. PAC22 Chapter 5 of the Environmental Statement, Volume 2 discusses consultation with Powys County Council further. All responses received during the Screening and Scoping processes are reported and cross-referenced to where points raised are addressed in the Environmental Statement. Neighbouring Shropshire County Council were also consulted through the Scoping process. PAC23 Prior to submission, at the point of a draft Environmental Statement being available, further consultation was opened with Officers at the Local Planning Authority. A consultation letter and leaflet with a pre-paid response postcard for comments about the development (Appendix 4), together with the site notice for specialist consultees (a copy of which is provided at Appendix 3), were sent to relevant Powys County Council Officers in hard copy on 20th January 2017. The same documents were also emailed to the Officers on 24th January 2017. The consultation letter directed Officers to the project website where the draft Design and Access Statement, Draft Environmental Statement, Written Text, and Draft Environmental Statement Figures and Visualisations were available for viewing and download. PAC24 Powys County Council Officers consulted during the Pre-Application Consultation Period are: •• Ms Kate Bowen, Planning Officer; •• Mr Graham Astley, Senior Land Drainage Officer;
10 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
•• Ms Nina Davies, Countryside Services; •• Mr. S. Mackintosh, Rights of Way Senior Manager; •• Mr. Carwyn Jones, Senior Environmental Health Officer; and •• Mrs Rachel Probert, Ecologist. PAC25 In addition to the consultees noted at Paragraph PAC24, Mr Kelvin Hall, Technical Specialist Planning Officer at Shropshire County Council, was consulted asa neighbour to the scheme. PAC26 As guided by Article 1 (2016), consultees were given over 28 days prior to submission of a planning application to review the draft environmental and application information. PAC27 Responses received from Powys County Council and Shropshire County Council during the pre-application consultation period are provided in Table PAC2 and discussed from Paragraph PAC51. Specialist Consultees
PAC28 In accordance with Article 1 Guidance (2016), Paragraph 18 and 31, the Applicant has consulted with specialist consultees relevant to the proposed development. These consultees are: •• Welsh Assembly Government (planning); •• Welsh Assembly Government Highways Authority; •• Cadw; •• Natural Resources Wales; •• Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust; •• Historic England; •• Natural England; •• Defence Estates/ Ministry of Defence (MoD); •• Civil Aviation Authority (CAA); •• National Air Traffic Services (NATS); •• RSPB; •• North Wales Wildlife Trust; •• Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust; and •• Severn Trent Water. PAC29 The list of appropriate specialist consultees was established through reference to Schedule 4 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (Wales) (Amendment) Order 2016, and to mirror the consultees identified by Powys Council as relevant through the scoping process. PAC30 The Specialist Consultees received a consultation letter and leaflet with a pre-paid response postcard for comments about the development (Appendix 4), together
11 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
with the site notice (Appendix 3) via the post and followed with an email copy. Consultees were also directed to the project website, where copies of the Draft Design and Access Statement, Draft Environmental Statement documents were available for viewing and download. PAC31 During this correspondence, North Wales Wildlife Trust informed Engena that the proposed development is sited within an area covered by Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust. As such, Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust was consulted with the same documentation noted at Paragraph PAC30. PAC32 Specialist consultees were allowed 28 days to respond to consultation, for comments to be reported within the Environmental Statement. Comments received past the consultation deadline are also considered by the developer and will be addressed through the planning determination phase, if necessary. Responses received from specialist consultees during the pre-application consultation period are provided in Table PAC2 and discussed from Paragraph PAC51. Community Councils and Councillors
PAC33 A key aim of the pre-application consultation process was to notify the local community and obtain views to shape the proposed development. To fulfil this requirement, the developer informed Llansilin Community Council, Selattyn and Gobowen Parish Council and Oswestry Rural Parish Council. The proposed site is within the boundary of Llansilin Community Council Area. PAC34 In addition to the Community Councils, the relevant local council members were consulted. For the proposed development, the councillors contacted are: •• Councillor John Powell (Powys County Council Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability); •• Councillor David Lloyd MBE (Shropshire County Council Ward member for Gobowen, Selattyn and Weston Rhyn); •• Councillor Robert Macey (Shropshire County Council Ward member for Gobowen, Selattyn and Weston Rhyn); and •• Councillor Aled Davies (Powys Ward Councillor for Llansilin). PAC35 In compliance with Article 1 Guidance (2016) the community consultees were contacted by letter and/or email (Appendix 4) and sent a copy of the Schedule 1B notice (as provided at Appendix 2). In addition to the requirements of the guidance, the community consultees were provided with the project newsletter and direction to the project website (Appendix 3). PAC36 The draft Environmental Statement documents and draft Design and Access Statement were made available to the community consultees for over 28 days, in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (Wales) (Amendment) Order 2016. Responses received from community consultees are provided in Table PAC3 and discussed from Paragraph PAC51.
12 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
Residents
PAC37 As set out in Article 1 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (Wales) (Amendment) Order 2016, in advance of submission pre- application consultation was undertaken with the local community. PAC38 Following consultation with Powys County Council, residents and businesses surrounding the proposed development have been consulted upon the plans for the Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park. PAC39 The Article 1 Guidance (2016) advises that a judgement needs to be made on a case by case basis for the appropriate scope of consultation with residents. The parallel is made to the judgement required of the local planning authority, on who comprises the adjacent owners and occupiers. PAC40 In the specific setting of the Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park there are very few immediate neighbours to the development. Within an approximate 1.5km radius of the site there are 27 dwellings identified through an examination of Ordnance survey Maps and postcode data, at the time of consultation. In order to include the nearest hamlets and villages (such as Cefn Canol and Rhydycroesau) the consultation area deemed appropriate for the scale of the proposal, was extended to an approximate 3km radius from the site. PAC41 106 properties within approximately 3km radius of the proposed development (Plate PAC2) were sent a consultation letter including a leaflet detailing the proposal and a pre-paid response postcard for comments about the development. A copy of the documents sent to the development neighbours is contained at Appendix 4. Site notices, as provided at Appendix 2, were also enclosed. PAC42 Recognising that English and Welsh are both official languages in the vicinity of the proposed development, the consultation letter, leaflet and notice were provided in both languages. PAC43 Responses received from the neighbouring public are provided in Table PAC4 and discussed from Paragraph PAC51.
13 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
Project: Cefn-y-Maes Title: Community Benefit Fund Zoning Rotor Diameter: 52m / Tip Height: 101m Drawing Number: 30 Drawing Version: 0.01 Drawn: SN Checked: CG Date: February 2017 Llansantffraid Glyn Ceiriog Community Weston Rhyn CP Scale: 1:25,000 @ A3 0 0.5 1
kilometres Glyntraian Community Turbine Locaiton: E:322880 N:332497 Legend
Turbine Location Ceiriog Ucha Community 1km Distance Band
3km Distance Band
Parish Regions
Selattyn and Gobowen CP
Llansilin Community Within Parish 1 km 3 km Glyntraian Community Selattyn and Gobowen CP Oswestry Rural CP Llansilin Community Ceiriog Ucha Community Llansantffraid Glyn Ceiriog Community
Oswestry Rural CP -
REG Power Management Ltd, First Floor, Telegraph House, Calenick Street, Truro, Conrwall, TR1 2SF Tel: 01872 226930 W: www.regpower.co.uk
© Crown copyright and database rights [2017] Ordnance Survey 0040091384 Drawing: 170130_Cefn y Maes_Community Benefit Fund Zoning_030_0.01 © Crown Copyright. All rights reserved, 2017. Licence number 0100031673. Scale; 1:50 000 at A4
Proposed Parish 1km radius 3km radius development Boundaries from site from site location
Parishes Proximity to Proposed Site
Parish Within Within 1km 3km Glyntraian Community ü ü Selattyn and Gobowen CP ü ü Oswestry Rural Parish ü ü Llansilin Community ü ü Ceiriog Ucha Community û ü Llansantffraid Gly Ceiriog Community û ü
Plate PAC2 - Consultation Area for Proposal Neighbours
14 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
RESPONSES TO CONSULTATION
PAC44 Views about the proposed Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park have been provided by a variety of modes including: email, consultation postcard, web contact form, telephone message and/or conversation and letter. All correspondence received since 23rd January 2017 to the point of planning application submission (22nd February 2017) has been considered and incorporated within the final Environmental Statement and associated planning documents. Local Planning Authority and Specialist Consultees
PAC45 Responses from Powys County Council, Shropshire Council and Specialised Consultees are provided below in Table PAC2 with cross reference to the relevant section of the application where matters raised have been addressed in the Environmental Statement. The comments received are considered by topic from Paragraph PAC51.
Table PAC2 - Feedback from Local Planning Authorities and Specialist Consultees
Consultee Question or Comment Received Reference of discussion Local Authority Consultees Ms Kate Bowen, No response during Jan/Feb 2017 pre- - Planning Officer, application consultation period. Powys County Council Mr Graham Thank you for consulting Powys LLFA. Earlier contact ES Volume 2 Astley, Senior had been made by your Flood Risk Consultant, Paragraphs Land Drainage Wallingford HydroSolutions Ltd, and I note that 9.37, 9.46 Officer, Powys this feedback has been acknowledged within the County Council supporting documentation for this proposal. Having reviewed the proposals, particularly Chapter 9: 20/02/17 Hydrology & Hydrogeology - Volume 2 Part 2 of the Draft Written Statement, the initial concerns raised by the LLFA regarding the surface water disposal have been considered and the design concepts put forward in Chapter 9 incorporate appropriate methods of disposal for the construction and operational phases for this development. I would therefore recommend that a detailed design for surface water drainage on this development follow the ‘Conclusions and Recommendations’ set out in Chapter 9 : Hydrology & Hydrogeology - Volume 2 Part 2 of the Draft Written Statement, and that this detailed design be submitted and approved in writing by the LPA prior to any commencement on site.
15 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
Consultee Question or Comment Received Reference of discussion Ms Nina Davies, No response during Jan/Feb 2017 pre- - Countryside application consultation period. Services, Powys County Council Mr. S. Mackintosh, No response during Jan/Feb 2017 pre- - Rights of Way application consultation period. Senior Manager, Powys County Council Mr. Carwyn No response during Jan/Feb 2017 pre- - Jones, Senior application consultation period. Environmental Health Officer, Powys County Council Mrs Rachel No response during Jan/Feb 2017 pre- - Probert, Ecologist, application consultation period. Powys County Council Mr Kelvin Hall, I refer to your pre-application consultation with ES Volume 2 Technical Shropshire Council as a specialist consultee as Table 5.3 Specialist defined by article 2(1) of the Town and Country Planning Officer, Planning (Development Management Procedure) Shropshire (Wales) Order 2012. I understand that Shropshire County Council Council, as a local planning authority, has been included in your pre-application consultation as 15/02/17 the proposed development is likely to affect land in Shropshire. I have consulted with specialist teams within the authority, and would provide you with pre-application advice as below. Location: The proposed development would be located adjacent ES Volume 2 to the Shropshire Council boundary. The submitted Paragraph 6.19 plan indicates that the proposed temporary access onwards track would be within Shropshire. Given the location, scale and nature of the proposed development it is likely to have an impact upon land within Shropshire. Any planning application should provide a sufficient level of detail to identify these impacts and ensure that they can be properly assessed. Environmental Impact Assessment: The proposed development should be screened under the Environmental Impact Assessment regulations to determine whether an EIA should accompany the planning application.
16 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
Consultee Question or Comment Received Reference of discussion Mr Kelvin Hall, Landscape and amenity: An appropriately detailed ES Volume 2 Technical landscape and visual impact appraisal will need to Chapter 10 Specialist be submitted and this should include an assessment Planning Officer, of landscape and visual impacts in relation to Shropshire visual receptors within Shropshire. The planning County Council application should include an assessment of likely ES Volume 2 glint and glare effects or shadow flicker on receptors, Chapter 14 or reasons as to why this is not necessary. The cont... application should provide clarity in relation to the anticipated timescale for the development, and measures for the decommissioning of the site. ES Volume 2 I would advise that details should be provided as to Chapter 7 the measures that would be put in place to ensure that robust decommissioning arrangements can be put in place to avoid any longer term issues regarding the reinstatement of the site. Highways and access: Details of the proposed temporary access track should be provided, including construction specification, type and number of vehicles proposed to use it, proposed duration and hours of use, and proposals for reinstatement. Details of any proposed access onto the public highway should be provided, ES Volume 2 including geometry and visibility. Details of both Chapter 8 construction and operational traffic should be provided. Any comments received from the Council’s highway team will be forwarded to you separately.
Historic conservation Shropshire Council’s Historic ES Volume 2 Environment team have provided the following Chapter 11 comments: The proposed development is understood to be a renewable energy park, to comprise a 101m high wind turbine, a 2,590 solar panel array, an energy storage facility and associated infrastructure. Whilst the site of the energy park is located within Powys, it is understood that the associated access track falls within Shropshire. Further, that the site is located in an elevated location at c. 370m OD in the saddle of a north-west to south-east ridge line. It is understood that Historic England provided a EIA Screening response for a similar scheme on the 11 May 2016, on which we also subsequently provided a pre-application advice (ref. PREAPP/16/01757).
17 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
Consultee Question or Comment Received Reference of discussion Mr Kelvin Hall, Given the height and location of the wind turbine, ES Volume 2 Technical the proposed development has the potential to Chapter 11 Specialist have an impact on the settings, and thereby the Planning Officer, significance, of a range of designated and non- Shropshire designated heritage assets within Shropshire. County Council These include the Scheduled Monuments of Offa’s Dyke; the Listed Buildings within the settlement of Llawnt; the Registered Park and Garden and cont... Conservation Area of Brogyntyn Park and the associated heritage assets within it; and potentially also the Scheduled Monument of Old Oswestry Hillfort and associated section of Wat’s Dyke. The proposed access track within Shropshire also has the potential to have a direct impact on the significance of currently unrecorded archaeological features and deposits. Given the above, and with regard to the requirements set out in Paragraph 128 of the NPPF and Policy MD13 of the SAMDev component of the Shropshire Local Plan, it is advised that a Heritage Assessment is submitted as part of any planning application. This should comprise an archaeological desk based assessment and, if advised by Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust with respect to the main part of the proposed development site, a field evaluation. It should also include an assessment of the impacts the proposed development would have on the settings of designated and non-designated heritage assets, the selection of which should be informed ES Volume 3 by the Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) for the Figure 10.8 proposed wind turbine. This should include preparation of photo-montages from agreed view points for those assets where the impacts are likely to be greatest. The assessment of impacts on the settings of heritage assets should comply with the guidance contained in Historic England’s ‘Historic Environment Good Practice Advice in Planning Note 3: The Setting of Heritage Assets. Subject to the results of the Heritage Assessment, it may be necessary to advise, in relation to Paragraph 141 of the NPPF and Policy MD13 of the Local Plan, that a programme of archaeological work be secured as a condition of any planning permission.
18 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
Consultee Question or Comment Received Reference of discussion Mr Kelvin Hall, The exact requirements of which would be ES Volume 2 Technical determined by the final design of the scheme but Paragraph 11.266 Specialist an appropriate condition might be: - Suggested Planning Officer, Condition: No development approved by this Shropshire permission shall commence until the applicant, or County Council their agents or successors in title, has secured the implementation of a programme of archaeological work in accordance with a written scheme of cont... investigation (WSI). This written scheme shall be approved in writing by the Planning Authority prior to the commencement of works. Reason: The site is known to hold archaeological interest. Shropshire Council Public Protection team Shropshire ES Volume 2 Council’s Public Protection team have provided the Chapter 13 following advice Information in relation to noise is required when an application for a wind turbine is submitted. A noise assessment will therefore be required as part of any future application following ETSU guidance according to current good practice at the time of submission. Any assessment submitted must take into consideration any other wind turbines in situ or sites that have been granted planning permission in the area at the time of the application being submitted. If micro siting is ES Volume 2 required distances should be specified in order that Paragraph 6.44 this can be taken into account when calculating noise levels at nearest residential properties as a worst case example. It is not anticipated that Shropshire Council’s Public Protection will have any objection to the proposed development in principal however we would recommend that the noise assessment information mentioned above is submitted up front with any future application.
19 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
Consultee Question or Comment Received Reference of discussion Specialist Consultees Ceri Litherland, Thank you for your email below. I would be grateful - Welsh Assembly if you could confirm that this information as been Government submitted to us for information only, as any (planning subsequent planning application will be for Powys decisions branch) County Council to determine in the first instance. (emails of For future reference please note that the Welsh 02/02/17) Government Planning Directorate are unable to comment on planning applications that are before local planning authorities, as applications may at some time come before the Welsh Ministers if they are called-in, or on appeal etc. Your email refers to Schedule 4 table, Item (l)(ii)(d) i.e. it is within a distance of 3 kilometres from the perimeter of a scheduled monument and is 75 metres or more in height, or has an area of 1 hectare or more; As a Scheduled Ancient Monument is involved, Table PAC2 you should consult with Cadw, who are the Welsh Government’s historic environment service. The person in Cadw that you should contact in the first instance is Helen May, who I am copying in to this email. Welsh The Welsh Government as the Highway Authority ES Volume 2 Government for the Trunk Road Network in Wales would offer Appendix 8.2 the following comments:- As part of the planning Department for application the Applicant must submit a Traffic Economy and Management Plan TMP To demonstrate their ability to Infrastructure safely manage the transportation of the wind turbine - Transport component along the Welsh Trunk Road Network. 14/02/17 Helen May, Cadw I can confirm that we have received this consultation. - (email of 02/02/17) Cadw Thank you for your letter dated 20 January 2017 ES Volume 2 inviting our comments on the proposed development Chapter 11 21/02/17 as described above. An archaeological assessment has been prepared for this proposed development as part of an environmental impact assessment. This assessment includes analysis as to the impact of the proposed development on the settings of the two scheduled monuments identified below.
20 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
Consultee Question or Comment Received Reference of discussion Cadw The assessment concludes that: The tip of the ES Volume 2 proposed wind turbine may be visible from scheduled Chapter 11 monument (DE136) Offa’s Dyke: Section from cont... Footpath S of Pen-y-Bryn to Orseddwen. This section of Offa’s Dyke is considered to be of very high value and as the blade will be possibly seen in an identified significant view it will have a minor impact and therefore the overall impact would be moderate. Scheduled monument (DE292) Orseddwen cairn is located some 2.4km northeast of the proposed wind turbine. The tip of the proposed wind farm may be visible. The potential visual impact has been assessed as minor and the overall impact would be moderate. We concur with these assessments and therefore have no objection to the proposed development. However, the proposed development Table PAC2 may have an impact on other designated monuments and we therefore suggest you consult Clwyd- Powys Archaeological Trust on this issue. Natural Resources Thank you for referring the above consultation - Wales received by us on 24th January 2017. We previously responded to this case on 3rd February 2016 Ref: 20/02/17 CAS-14474-K2N8 for EIA Screening and 22nd April 2016 CAS-17207-H6X0 for a Scoping Opinion. Please note that our comments are without prejudice to any comments we may wish to make when consulted on any subsequent planning applications or permit (either at pre-application or application stage) for the proposed development. At that time there may be new information available which we will need to take into account in making a formal response. Based on the information submitted to us, we would recommend to the local authority that they should only grant planning permission if the conditions listed below are attached to the planning permission. These would address the significant concerns identified and therefore we would not object.
21 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
Consultee Question or Comment Received Reference of discussion Natural Resources Summary of Conditions Condition 1 – To address ES Volume 2 Wales potential pollution issues before commencement, Paragraph 7.83 the applicant will submit a CEMP to the satisfaction of the LPA, in consultation with NRW. Hydrology cont... and Hydrogeology We have reviewed EIA Vol 2 ES Volume 2 Chapter 9 Hydrology and Hydrogeology and agree Chapter 9 with the findings and conclusions. The proposal is 0.5km away from Water Framework Directive (WFD) waterbodies; River Cynllaith (GB109054055060) and River Morda (GB109054055070). The proposal could have potential risks to waterbodies from diffuse pollution during the construction phase of development. There is also a possibility for private groundwater abstractions including springs, boreholes, wells to be located nearby. In response to any subsequent planning application we are likely to advise that a condition is attached to agree a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) prior to commencement, to address any potential pollution issues that could arise during the construction phase. The CEMP should clarify pollution prevention procedures, the materials that are to be brought to the site, procedures for managing construction waste and any hazardous materials.
Condition 1 – To address potential pollution ES Volume 2 issues before commencement, the applicant will Chapter 7 submit a CEMP to the satisfaction of the LPA, in consultation with NRW. Guidance for Pollution ES Volume 2 Prevention GPP5 “Works and maintenance Table 18.4 in or near water” has recently been updated (January2017) and will be found at http://www. netregs.org.uk/environmental-topics/pollution- prevention-guidelines-ppgs-and-replacement-series/ guidance-for-pollution-prevention-gpps-full-list/ Please note NRW’s 24 hour environmental incident number has changed and it is now Tel: 03000 653000 naturalresources.wales/reportit Flood Risk The site is not located in any B, C1 or C2 flood risk zones as defined by the Development Advice Map (DAM) referred to in Technical Advice Note 15: Development and Flood Risk (TAN15) (July 2004).
22 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
Consultee Question or Comment Received Reference of discussion Natural Resources The proposed development is located in a ES Volume 2 Wales DAM A flood risk zone and due to its size Chapter 9 it required effective management. The Lead Local Flood Authority (Powys cont... County Council) are responsible for managing local flood risk, including from surface water, ground water and ordinary watercourses and we note that they have been consulted. ES Volume 2 Landscape NRW’s landscape planning remit Paragraph 5.30 relates to the potential effects of development upon designated landscapes, including National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Effects upon Registered Historic Landscapes are now considered by the Welsh Archaeological Trusts. In this case, Clwyd Powys Table PAC2 Archaeological Trust should be consulted. We have reviewed EIA Vol2 Chapter 10 Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment. The AONB boundary ES Volume 2 at its nearest point lies 6.3km to the north-north east Chapter 10 of the site, near Chirk - not 7.1km referred to in the LVIA submitted with this Pre-application submission. ES Volume The LVIA sets out the landscape character baseline 3 Figures well and provides a useful narrative description. 10.1 - 10.9 Representative viewpoint receptors at various distances from the site have been assessed. No viewpoints from the AONB have been included within the assessment. The Figures and Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) mapping are however helpful in our consideration the likely effects upon the AONB. The LVIA has assessed effects and considers these would be significant upon landscape character within approximately 2km of the proposed development, significant visual effects upon residential properties within approximately 3.5km to 4.0 km and significant visual effects upon walkers along Offa’s Dyke and the Ceiriog Trail approximately 1.5km from the proposed development. We have not studied this section in detail and verified whether all available viewpoints have been captured - as it relates to local landscape interests, however the spatial extent of significant effects accords with our experience of wind turbines and solar arrays of the scale proposed.
23 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
Consultee Question or Comment Received Reference of discussion Natural Resources With reference to the Zone of Theoretical Visibility ES Volume 3 Wales (ZTV) mapping, we note that the AONB hilltops of Y Figure 10.8 Foel (marked by Bidulph Tower) and Vivod Mountain ES Volume 2 lie within the ZTV of the proposed wind turbine. These Paragraph 10.41 cont... receptors lie at 7.8km and 9.6km respectively from the site. We consider factors including viewing distance, landscape scale, simple landform components and panoramic nature of views are likely to result in a single 101m high turbine having little visual presence within landscape views from these locations. We therefore concur with the LVIA conclusions - that the proposed development would have no effect upon the purpose of the AONB designation. The presence ES Volume 3 of two small operational wind turbines 27m to tip or Figure 10.9 smaller also does not cause us concern in regards to cumulative landscape and visual effects upon the AONB. Protected Species We have reviewed EIA ES Volume 2 Volume 2 of Chapter 12 Ecology and Ornithology and Chapter 12 we consider that it is satisfactory for the purposes of informing the planning decision making process. We note that the second edition of the bat guidelines have been used although there is now a third edition. As previously advised, the turbine should be positioned so that the blade tips are a sufficient distance from hedgerows and trees adhering to relevant guidance TIN51 and TIN 59. In this case ES Volume 2 we concur that the habitat is low risk as stated Paragraph 12.40 in paragraph 12.57 of the draft Environmental Statement. We consider that the proposal is not likely to be detrimental to the maintenance of the favourable conservation status of any local populations of European protected species or UK fully protected species. Protected Sites Protected sites near the proposal are; the Berwyn Special Protection Area (SPA) the Berwyn Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Berwyn Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), the River Dee and Bala ES Volume 2 Lake SAC River Dee SSSI and Pandy Quarries Chapter 7 SSSI. We consider that subject to appropriate pollution prevention during the construction phase, as detailed above, the proposal would not lead to likely significant effect on protected sites.
24 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
Consultee Question or Comment Received Reference of discussion Natural Resources Our comments above only relate specifically to - Wales matters that are included on our checklist “Natural Resources Wales and Planning Consultations” (March 2015) which is published on our website: cont... (https://naturalresources.wales/planning-and- development/planning-and-development/?lang=en). We have not considered potential effects on other matters and do not rule out the potential for the proposed development to affect other interests, including environmental interests of local importance. The applicant should be advised that, in addition to planning permission, it is their responsibility to ensure that they secure all other permits/consents relevant to their development. Clwyd Powys The main problem with this application is clearly ES Volume 2 Archaeological going to be the excessive height of the turbine in Chapter 12 Trust an open rural landscape where there are no other ES Volume 3 vertical structures of similar scale. The visual impact (01/02/17) Figure 10.8 will be significant and this is clear particularly for heritage elements just across the border in Shropshire where a number of significant effects on the historic landscape character out to 2km, combined with significant changes of view out to 4km, are noted in the ES. I would think this is likely to attract a refusal from Shropshire CC on landscape grounds and the turbine would have a higher chance of approval if it was significantly lower and less prominent in the landscape. A turbine height of 50m or less to blade tip would be far more likely to succeed here. A potentially major physical impact to non-designated ES Volume 2 archaeology has been identified for the combined Chapter 11 turbine and solar farm area in 11.248 and 11.249 and no assessment of this impact has been carried out so far. We would recommend that this is completed before the application is submitted so that the ES is fully informed with regard to any mitigation that may arise as a result of the investigation. In this case we would advise that the whole application area is covered by a geophysical survey using an appropriate ES Volume 2 magnetometry technique with readings taken on Table 11.13 a 0.25m sample grid. The results of this would be used to inform whether subsequent investigative trial ES Volume 2 trenching is required. The combined results would Paragraph 11.266 then allow appropriate mitigation to be agreed.
25 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
Consultee Question or Comment Received Reference of discussion Clwyd Powys There currently appear to be no significant direct ES Volume 2 Archaeological or visual impacts in Powys to any designated Paragraphs Trust sites from either the turbine or the solar array, but 11.251, 11.2588 Cadw should be consulted with regard to the fairly ES Volume 2 distant scheduled monuments that do fall within Tables 11.10, cont... the 10km search area so that their comments can 11.11 and 11.12 be included. The contact in this case would be Mr Neil Maylan (Senior Historic Environment Planning Officer) via [email protected] I would be grateful if you could keep me informed with regard to the development of the scheme and we would wish to be consulted on any further cultural heritage reports submitted to inform the ES. Historic England No response during Jan/Feb 2017 pre- - application consultation period. Natural England Natural England has no comments - to make on this application. 30/01/17 The lack of comment from Natural England relates only to sites within England, and you should also seek the views of Natural Resources Wales. Natural England has not assessed this application ES Volume 2 for impacts on protected species. Natural England Chapter 12 has published Standing Advice which you can use to assess impacts on protected species or you may wish to consult your own ecology services for advice. Natural England and the Forestry Commission have also published standing advice on ancient woodland and veteran trees which you can use to assess any impacts on ancient woodland. The lack of comment from Natural England does not imply that there are no impacts on the natural environment, but only that the application is not likely to result in significant impacts on statutory designated nature conservation sites or landscapes. It is for the local planning authority to determine whether or not this application is consistent with national and local policies on the natural environment. Other bodies and individuals may be able to provide information and advice on the environmental value of this site and the impacts of the proposal to assist the decision making process.
26 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
Consultee Question or Comment Received Reference of discussion Natural England We advise LPAs to obtain specialist ecological - or other environmental advice when determining the environmental impacts of development. cont... We recommend referring to our SSSI Impact Risk Zones (available on Magic and as a downloadable dataset) prior to consultation with Natural England. Further guidance on when to consult Natural England on planning and development proposals is available on gov.uk at h+ps://www.gov.uk/guidance/local- planning-authorities-get-environmental-advice. Defence Estates/ No response during Jan/Feb 2017 pre- - Ministry of application consultation period. Defence (MoD) Civil Aviation No response during Jan/Feb 2017 pre- - Authority (CAA) application consultation period. National Air Traffic No response during Jan/Feb 2017 pre- - Services (NATS) application consultation period. RSPB Thank you for consulting the RSPB. We have the ES Volume 2 following comments to make. The application lacks Paragraphs 20/02/17 important contemporary bird data. The application site 12.108, 12.113, is within an area which supports breeding curlew. The 12.123. curlew is Red listed in the 2015 Birds of Conservation Concern 4. It is Red listed in Wales owing to a severe a short-term and long-term decline of the breeding population and is listed as a priority species in Section 7 of the Environment (Wales) Act 2016. The occurrence of ground nesting birds including curlew (at and in the vicinity of the development site) which require open habitats would be compromised by this developments. Breeding curlew, in particular, require wide open vistas to increase in numbers and reduce their susceptibility to predation. It is important the Environmental Statement is supported by an up to date breeding bird survey. More detail can be obtained as to these methods in “Bird Monitoring Methods : A Manual of Techniques for Key Species” Gilbert, G. Gibbons, DW and Evans, J. Pub. RSPB, BTO, WWT, JNCC, ITE Sandy 1998, ISBN 1 901930 03 3. If you require further information in relation to this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me - and I would be grateful if you would keep me informed of any future developments.
27 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
Consultee Question or Comment Received Reference of discussion North Wales No response during Jan/Feb 2017 pre- - Wildlife Trust application consultation period.
Montgomeryshire No response during Jan/Feb 2017 pre- - Wildlife Trust application consultation period.
Severn Trent No response during Jan/Feb 2017 pre- - Water application consultation period.
Community Councils and Councillors
PAC46 Responses from Community Councils and Councillors are provided below in Table PAC3 with cross reference to the relevant section of the application where matters raised have been addressed in the Environmental Statement. The comments received are considered by topic from Paragraph PAC51.
Table PAC3 - Feedback from Community Councils and Councillors
Consultee and Question or Comment Received Reference of date received discussion Llansilin No response during Jan/Feb 2017 pre- - Community application consultation period. Council Carole Warner, At the Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday - Clerk, Oswestry 31 January, your email advising of the pre- Rural parish application consultation was discussed. Although Council the Council had no specific comments to make at this time it did request it is kept up to date (email of on progress of the planning application. 02/02/17) Please could you confirm the Council will be added to your mailing list. Cllr John Powell No response during Jan/Feb 2017 pre- - application consultation period.
28 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
Consultee and Question or Comment Received Reference of date received discussion Cllr David Lloyd As the neighbouring Shropshire Councillors MBE and Cllr representing a community which would be Robert Macey impacted by this development we have considered the pre application submission and Gobowen, taken soundings from the local community. Selattyn and ES Volume 2 Weston Rhyn Our initial response is one of concern in relation to Chapter 10 Division a number of issues this development raises. The visual impact of the panels, height of the associated 20/2/17 wind turbine and potential impact on local wildlife are ES Volume 2 included within our concerns. The restricted size of Chapter 12 the local road network also raises further concerns ES Volume 2 around access and construction of the site. Chapter 8 We will await any full application with interest but feel the current plans raise a number of troubling issues and this has been echoed to us by the local community. Cllr Aled Davies Thanks for the update, I live in the 3km circle ES Volume 2 so I received your letter yesterday. Paragraph 5.29 (email of 24/01/17) Did you send this email to all Cllrs across Powys? Paragraph PAC41 What does ‘Community’ in the projects name refer to? Paragraph PAC28 ES Volume 2 paragraph 1. 1.20 ES Volume 2 Chapter 17 Cllr Aled Davies Thanks, look forward to seeing more detail. ES Volume 2 Chapter 5 (postcard I’d like to know your thoughts on the proposed received 30/1/17 new LDP Powys CC are producing. Planning Statement
29 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
Residents
PAC47 57 responses to the consultation request were received from members of the public. These have been reported in full (but without names) below in Table PAC4 with cross reference to the relevant section of the application where matters raised have been addressed in the Environmental Statement. PAC48 Table PAC4 contains 69 responses (i.e. more than 57), as some respondees provided multiple submissions (for example multiple emails or representation by email and letter). Analysis of the public responses received (as discussed from Paragraph PAC49 on page 77) counts each individual resident or business, rather than each piece of correspondence received. Issues raised by all correspondence (irrespective of whether it is a second or third representations from an individual) have been considered with the Environmental Statement and this Report.
Table PAC4 - Feedback from Public Consultation
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion In principle I am in favour of this application and look Visual ES Volume 3 forward to its success. I have difficulty visualising how appearance. Visualisations the site will eventually look but feel that green energy Technology ES Volume 2 has so many benefits that we have to sacrifice a small Chapter 6 amount of our local land to achieve it. We will get used to what it looks like and I would rather have this than a power station and definitely better than ugly pylons, I would like an answer please to the proposed development: 1. What is the total height of he wind generator including the blades? The proposal ES Volume 2 2. What is the max. generation in MW? Paragraph 1.2 3. Is there to be just one tower? Or is this the start of creeping towers please do not say we have no plans for new towers! ES Volume 2 4. I believe that on researching noise Noise that this will affect us and others. Chapter 13 5. I have grave concerns about the effect on wildlife and the bat population. Ecology (bats) On the above I wish to express my opposition the this plan. I would point out I have no problems with the solar panels only the tower.
30 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion I am the owner Pen-y-Dyffryn Hotel, in the village of Rhydycroesau, and will be significantly affected by this proposal. Before the community can properly respond please let me have your answers to the following queries -
Please advise why Volume 1 (Non-technical Consultation PAC Paragraph Summary) is not shown linked from the website? process PAC17 This is surely the most useful section to lay- people who are interested in the proposal. Please forward me a web link and put that link on the website as soon as possible. Please send me visualisations of the view of the turbine I will have from my hotel frontage. Volume Individual views ES Volume 2 2 says I will be able to see the rotors, but I need Paragraph 10.138 more information before I determine my own particular and personal stance on the proposal. Please advise why your consultations with Shropshire ES Volume 2 Council are so limited. The proposal almost abuts Consultation Chapter 5 the Shropshire border, and from a visual point process of view Shropshire will be impacted every bit as much as Powys, perhaps more, due to higher population densities in Shropshire. Residents of Wrexham Council will also be affected and should be properly consulted - to what extent where they consulted and what was the Council’s response? Please confirm the nature of your assurance ES Volume 2 from Scottish Power that the existing 11KV power Grid connection line will not need upgrading to take the load Paragraph 6.41 from the energy park. Please email/mail me the consultation response from Scottish Power. Please show me on a plan the route of the new 11KV power line required to connect to the existing power line. ES Volume 2 Can you provide your reassurance, or a The proposal Chapter 6 commitment, that there are no plans to increase the number of turbines at a future date? Given the wide ranging visual impact of a 100 metre turbine on top of a hill in this unspoiled Site design ES Volume 2 countryside, was any consideration given Chapter 3 to extending the solar array and thereby avoiding the need for a wind turbine.
31 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion cont.... The solar array is likely to receive a more favourable reception from the community than ES Volume 2 this very large wind turbine. If not, why not? Paragraph 12.103 Ecology You state that the only evidence of Otters is 150metres south-east of the site, but the response from Natural resources Wales states that they are also in evidence in Pen y Gwely reservoir, south west of the site. Please correct your draft statement accordingly. I cannot find Figures 10.8 and 10.9. Maybe I am - suffering a consequence of the very large nature of the draft submission, but please refer me to them.
What is the structure of the holding company behind ES Volume 2 Applicant of this development? In particular, will the profits from Paragraph 1.17 the energy park remain in the UK, or is there a the proposal parent company? Who is that, and are they a UK based company? This will also affect residents perception of the community aspect of the proposal Where are the turbines and solar - panels manufactured? ES Volume 2 The project is described as a ‘Community Energy Community Paragraph 1.20 Park. How do you propose the local community will benefit be involved, or indeed benefit, from this proposal? and Paragraph 17.131 As a courtesy to the local community, please extend Consultation the consultation period by one month to March process 20th. There is a lot to digest before any meaningful ES Volume 2 response can be made from the community, including Chapter 5 discussion at Parish Council meetings. I suspect cooperation from you on this point will only improve public perceptions of your willingness to engage with the local community over this community energy park.
32 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion I note with incredulity this proposed development. Energy ES Volume 2 As a lifelong Oswestry resident and user of Oswestry generation Paragraph 1.8 Racecourse and the surrounding area I cannot and Appendix 1 believe that such a disruptive development is being considered for so little gain i.e. electricity for 554 houses as the application states. The fact that the proposed development comes within some tens of metres of the Shropshire border makes the lack of Consultation information given to those residents living in England process ES Volume 2 almost criminal. You would not be allowed to plant Chapter 5 an 8 foot hedge at my property border but you can erect a 300 foot plus monstrosity on the Welsh/English border. Instead of despoiling a beautiful area of country for so little gain why not put your solar panels on the roofs of 554 Powys houses and save the whole process of building a pylon infrastructure. The whole idea seems to me to reek of public subsidy for business first and the needs and wishes of locals last. I am totally opposed to this pointless development and wish my objection to be given due consideration.
I oppose this application 1) The infrastructure Access (route) ES Volume 2 roads, from the A5 at Oswestry to site can not paragraph 8.29 Landscape be justified without the construction of a further ES Volume 2 seven units on adjoining sites. 2) This area of Tourism Chapter 10 outstanding beauty will be decimated along Hydrology with tourism. This is a precursor of a larger ES Volume 2 development which will contaminate ground water. Paragraph 17.70 ES Volume 2 Chapter 9 I find it difficult to believe that a turbine of that size Scale of proposal ES Volume 2 is even being considered in such an important Chapter 6 Heritage historical area. It will have a huge negative impact ES Volume 2 visually apart from the massive disruption during Visual impact Chapter 11 its erection. I would think the solar panels will have Construction little visual impact and will possibly be an asset. I, ES Volume therefore, am strongly objecting to the wind turbine 2 Paragraph and hope you will take my views into consideration. 10.41 onwards ES Volume 2 Chapter 7
33 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion I’m shocked and appalled of your intentions to destroy Landscape ES Volume 2 our beautiful landscape with a 300’ monstrosity. I will Chapter 10 be objecting vociferously and engaging my local M.P.
I am writing to object to the above energy park proposal having reviewed all details relating to the Consultation ES Volume 2 scheme. I consider the consultation process to be process Chapter 5 poor and haphazard and the scheme would make a limited contribution to renewable energy supply, Energy ES Volume 2 whilst having a negative impact on the environment generation Paragraph 1.8 of an unspoiled countryside. Inadequate information and Appendix 1 has been given regarding connecting the energy ES Volume 2 Grid connection park to the grid, a scheme of such proportion would Paragraph 6.41 lead to a proliferation of pylons to carry the power supply, the size and route has not been disclosed but would inevitably have a further negative impact on ES Volume 2 the landscape and environment. Substantial amounts Landscape Paragraph 10.69 of construction traffic travelling to the proposed site on small lanes and residential properties and businesses would have a detrimental effect to all living Access ES Volume 2 in the area. The area has attracted a lot of current (construction Paragraph 8.46 local residents who located here due to its natural traffic) beauty. Visitors come from far afield to enjoy the wildlife, walks and horse riding on the notable trails and bridleways, a project such as being proposed would be damaging not only to house owners but wildlife habitats whilst desecrating local businesses ES Volume 2 that rely on tourism as a key source of income. I Public Rights Chapters 4, 8, 10 consider the scale of the proposed development of Way to be inappropriately large and as has been the practice of many wind farm developments in the ES Volume 2 past, the addition of more turbines in the future Ecology Chapter 12 must be considered a possibility. The name of the ES Volume proposal includes the term “Community” this is a Tourism 2 Paragraph misuse of the term and is inappropriate as I fail to 17.70 onwards see any community benefits, conversely I do see strong justified objections to the proposal from the community. I trust my objections will be given suitable ES Volume 2 consideration so that a piece of unspoiled rural Wales Community Paragraph 1.20 countryside may be preserved for the sake of the benefit and Paragraph environment and the wildlife that thrives within it. 17.131
34 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion I am writing to object to the above energy park proposal having reviewed the details relating to the Consultation ES Volume 2 scheme. The consultation process has been poor process Chapter 5 and haphazard; the scheme would make a limited contribution to renewable energy supply, whilst having Energy ES Volume 2 a negative impact on the environment of beautiful generation Paragraph 1.8 countryside. Inadequate information has been given and Appendix 1 regarding connecting the energy park to the grid, ES Volume 2 Grid connection a scheme this size will require the construction of Paragraph 6.41 pylons across the countryside, further despoiling it. The route for this has not been disclosed but will have a negative impact on the landscape and ES Volume 2 environment. Substantial amounts of construction Landscape Paragraph 10.69 traffic travelling to the proposed site on small lanes would have a negative effect to all living in the area. Altering the lanes to cope with additional heavy traffic Access ES Volume 2 would lead to further disruption and would change (construction Paragraph 8.46 the landscape from its current rural outlook. The traffic) area has attracted a lot of current local residents and visitors who come here for the natural beauty, wildlife, walks and horse riding. There is a major bridleway that would be adjacent to the proposed energy park, and Offa’s Dyke for walkers is close by. This proposal ES Volume 2 would be damaging not only to house and business Public Rights Chapters 4, 8, 10 owners but wildlife habitats, namely Skylarks and of Way Curlews, both of which are suffering through loss of habitat. The name of the proposal includes the ES Volume 2 term “Community” this is a misuse of the term and Ecology Chapter 12 is inappropriate as there are no community benefits, ES Volume conversely I do see strong justified objections to the Tourism 2 Paragraph proposal from the community. I hope my objections 17.70 onwards will be given suitable consideration so that a piece of unspoiled rural Wales countryside may be preserved for the sake of the environment, the wildlife that ES Volume 2 thrives within it and the many people who enjoy it. Community Paragraph 1.20 benefit and Paragraph 17.131
35 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion I am writing to object most strongly to the proposed development of the Cefn-y-Maes Energy Park described in your letter and enclosures of 20 January 2017. My main objections are summarized below. Consultation ES Volume 2 The arrangements for consultation have so far been process Chapter 5 completely unacceptable. The documents you recently sent out have not been distributed to many people in the surrounding communities or to many authorities, business organisations and residents in neighbouring areas which will be affected by the project. No public meeting has been arranged to introduce the proposals. You seem to have no rational explanation for failing to make available the requisite non-technical summary. Any non-technical person who manages to discover the very detailed material on your website will find it user-unfriendly. No convincing case has been put forward to justify the amount of disruption to rural life and spoilage of the Energy ES Volume 2 countryside proposed. The relatively small amount generation Paragraph 1.8 of electricity to be generated over the short 30-year and Appendix 1 life of the project does not offset the negative effects that would be felt throughout the communities in a ES Volume 2 wide surrounding area. The project has been falsely Community Paragraph 1.20 named the “Cefn-y-Maes Community Renewable benefit Energy Park” when, far from benefiting the community, and Paragraph it would be harmful to it. This project would be certain 17.131 to have a detrimental effect on many leisure pursuits Public Rights such as walking, cycling and horse-riding for which of Way the area is well-known. It would overshadow adjacent ES Volume 2 areas of archaeological interest containing standing Chapters 4, 8, 10 stones, and would seriously impair the nearby Area Heritage ES Volume 2 of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Wrexham. Local Chapter 11 residents and visitors from many parts of the UK Landscape and elsewhere would be badly affected. Local designations ES Volume 2 businesses providing services to the tourist and Paragraph 10.36 leisure industries would suffer and there would be Tourism ES Volume knock-on effects to the economy across a wide 2 Paragraph area. Approval of this project might well encourage 17.70 onwards additional developments in the area, in which case Proliferation the negative effects would be compounded. ES Volume 2 Chapter 6
36 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion cont... Access (route) ES Volume 2 paragraph 8.29 Major additional problems would in any case arise from the current proposal: · Transport difficulties would be encountered in Oswestry, in local villages, and on small country roads in the area completely unsuitable for multiple heavy loads during the construction (and later demolition) periods; · Scaling- ES Volume 2 Grid connection up would be needed to transmission lines to link Paragraph 6.41 the site to the National Grid. This is a key element that has proved an Achilles heel to other energy park proposals and needs to be taken into detailed account as an integral part of the package for initial consultation. There is no sign of it at present. I hope you will keep me fully informed on how you intend to meet these and similar objections now being voiced by many in the local communities. We are writing to express our concerns about the proposed siting of the wind turbine at Cefn y Maes. We feel that the visual impact on our property (Tyn y drain) will be huge as the full height of the turbine Individual views ES Volume 2 will be clearly visible from all points of our house Paragraph 10.138 and land. Kate Bowen, Planning Officer for Powys County Council has commented in her report that ‘it would be useful to recieve viewpoints from those properties where the entire turbine would be visible (Cefn Coch, Tyn y drain). We feel that the viewpoint taken from north of Carreg y Big is partially obscured by Cefn Coch woods and is not a reflection of what we would actually see from our house and land. We would therefore request that additional viewpoints are provided from our land. Kate Bowen also points out that consideration should be given ES Volume to the impact on tourism in the area ( chapter 17). Tourism 2 Paragraph We currently have a pre application with Shropshire 17.70 onwards County Council to develop a Glamping Site at Tyn y drain Quarry. The turbine will be in full view of the proposed development. This could seriously affect the viability of our project as one of our main objectives is that guests can enjoy the beautiful views from their accommodation. We are concerned Noise ES Volume 2 about the noise levels from the turbine as the Chapter 13 prevailing South Westerly winds will carry the noise to our property and the proposed Glamping Site.
37 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion cont... Carwyn Jones, Senior Environmental Health Officer (Chapter 13) has requested that a noise survey with predicted noise levels for the nearest dwellings be carried out. We would endorse this request and ask that we are present when this is carried out. Claire Parry, Senior Development Planning Advisor for Natural Resources for Wales points out that ‘there may be diffused pollution issues during the Hydrology ES Volume 2 construction phase’. We are concerned that polluted Chapter 9 water will run off from the site and will feed into water courses on our land which are used for animal drinking and fish pools. We would like clarification ES Volume 2 Community of the ‘community’ aspect of this project and how it Paragraph 1.20 benefit will benefit the local community and those properties and Paragraph directly affected by the development. We would like 17.131 our comments to be included within the application documentation and we wish to be kept up to date on the progress of the planning application. We hope that our concerns will be take into consideration during the planning application. We would be grateful if you could confirm receipt of our e mail. I write in response to your recent invitation for comments on this proposed development. I believe that this is a very poorly conceived proposal whose consultation process has been chaotic. I object strongly to the proposals and for the reasons I put forward below, I urge you to abandon them now. • PROCESS. The consultation process has been Consultation ES Volume 2 chaotic: The letter inviting comment was sent to process Chapter 5 some households and not to others- how recipients were chosen is unclear, but I certainly didn’t receive one. There has been no public meeting to explain the project. The materials on your website are, as of this morning, still missing the vital Volume 1 - the explanation for non-technical readers. Saying this will be provided when the Planning Application is made negates the utility of the consultation process. The materials that are on the site are very voluminous. The late involvement of Shropshire authorities, residents and businesses in the consultation process is unfortunate at least and I say this as a Powys resident.
38 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion cont... • PRINCIPLE. I do not understand the justification for Energy ES Volume 2 allowing a proliferation of sites which contribute only generation Paragraph 1.8, marginally to renewable energy supply to desecrate and Appendix 1 unspoilt countryside. Permission for this site is likely to encourage further encroachment. • SPECIFICS. I think this is an extremely ill-thought-out proposal, which I am surprised has been able to progress to the ES Volume 2 Public Rights current stage because: The development is in an area Chapters 4, 8, 10 much used by walkers, cyclists and riders and this of Way proposal will for sure change the nature of this area of unspoilt countryside. Several long-distance paths cross the area, some very close to the development and I suspect that the impact on equestrian users will be particularly marked. It is this unspoilt countryside which is the attraction not only to local residents and people living in nearby communities but also for the visitors to the area from further afield. We should be doing everything we can to support the local ES Volume 2 businesses - large and small - who are engaged in Tourism Paragraph 17.70 the tourist industry in our locality on both sides of the border. Aside from the immediate local visual impact, ES Volume the scale of the wind turbine specifically means Visual impact 2 Paragraph that the site will be visible from a very significant 10.41 onwards distance on the approach to the area - much to its detriment. Without trawling the 500 pages of detail, I can see no information about how SPN would Grid connection ES Volume 2 connect the development to the grid and what this Paragraph 6.41 would mean in terms of new pylon development. The Draft Design and Access Statement says this will be the subject of a further planning application -which seems perverse. It is one of the important issues ES Volume 2 and should be detailed now. There is no evidence Community Paragraphs 1.20 of a “Community” dimension to this project, so its benefit and 17.131 title is misleading. I am hugely concerned about the impact of construction traffic. There are two issues here: • Increased HGV traffic on the 84580 Access ES Volume 2 between Oswestry and the site. This is already a (construction Paragraph 8.46 very dangerous stretch of road: HGVs (and some traffic) agricultural vehicles) pose a major hazard already on the Racecourse “hairpins” and the bends at Top Forest and Llawnt. Any increase in HGV traffic -even for just for the construction period -has a direct impact on the safety of the many people who use this road.
39 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion cont... • Routing the exceptional load convoy!, via Access (route) ES Volume 2 Llangedwyn and Llansilin along the Powys section Paragraph 8.29 of the 84580 is the stuff of nightmares. Even if this route is technically feasible (surely not?), the impact on the village of Llansilin will be very significant - as it will be for all of us who frontage the road and its side-roads. I would also have concerns about the impact on the road itself-we already suffer from many potholes the erosion of the tarmac edge and damaged verges and roadside walls. What will be the additional effect of these very large and heavy loads? I am writing to you to express my opposition to the above referenced development. The pre application consultation document has only recently come to my attention as it appears to have only been Consultation ES Volume 2 selectively targeted to a minority of households in process Chapter 5 the area and not to any of the many properties that the development will severely affect. There has been no public consultation and the website documents are very generic with volume 1 missing which is unfortunate as that is the one that most respondents would need to read. Cefn y Maes energy park is described as being a community project however Community ES Volume 2 it most certainly is not as the whole community and benefit paragraph 1.20 adjacent areas are against it hence your statements and 17.131 are misleading. The scheme is ill conceived, out of ES Volume 2 place , will severely affect the amenity of the whole Site location area and not contribute to the area. The matter of Chapter 3 the export of power is brushed under the table even though the pylons will have a major impact on the Grid connection ES Volume 2 local areas of natural beauty and special areas Paragraph 6.41 such as the Old Racecourse. I am of the opinion that it should be included in any deliberations. If the Landscape ES Volume 2 application should go ahead please be advised that it Paragraph 10.69 will be met with a most vigorous opposition campaign similar to recent campaigns in adjacent valleys.
40 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion We are writing to express our community’s objection and deep concern about the impact on our community of this proposed development in Powys, directly adjoining the Shropshire county boundary and just 500 metres from the Wrexham County boundary. Membership of the local community supporting this community objection is already high, and rising every day. Due to overwhelming and, we believe, majority local objection, an action group has been formed, Community Against Rhydycroesau Turbine Energy Park (CARTE) and within the last few days our numbers have swelled to the point where specialist professional services are now being sought. Your chosen site for this energy park is Site location ES Volume 2 deliberately and cynically exploiting the fact that, while Chapter 3 the development is actually located in Powys, it is right on the boundary of three County Councils. This allows you to constrain from Powys Council’s remit the visual impact of the development on neighbouring counties, and to obfuscate on consequential impacts such as pylon routes and road infrastructure, all of which are actually located in Shropshire. You have ES Volume 2 Consultation also singularly failed to adequately consult Shropshire Chapter 5 Council, not just in respect of the energy park, but process in respect of the required pylon infrastructure (in Shropshire} to connect to the national grid, and in ES Volume 2 Grid connection respect of the highway issues to transport in the Paragraph 6.41 construction materials, (again, in Shropshire). You have also failed to adequately consult the affected Access community, and to provide accessible summary ES Volume 2 information to the public about the proposal. We Chapter 8 are concerned about several other aspects of the proposal. Paragraph references refer to your own draft application. • The inappropriate scale of the development in this small scale and relatively Scale of proposal ES Volume 2 populated landscape, in particular the very large Chapter 6 wind turbine (102 metres, two·thirds the height of Blackpool Tower). This large turbine is grossly out of proportion to our small scale local landscape. Most of the hills in this area do not rise more than 50 metres from the surrounding land, which further emphasises the inappropriate scale of the turbine.
41 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion cont.. The entire turbine will be visible from Oswestry Visual impact ES Volume 2 Equestrian Centre and the turbine will be visible from Paragraph 10.41 Pen-y·Dyffryn Hotel in Rhydycroesau (Para 11.240), both only about 2.0 km away. The turbine will also be ES Volume 2 visible from much of the Oswestry Uplands National Landscape Paragraph 10.36 Character Area, a vast swathe of Powys and the designations Berwyn Foothills Landscape Character Area, Wrexham County’s protected landscapes, from Oswestry town, and from much further afield. (Your Figure 10.8) • The proposal is at odds with many aspects ES Volume Planning Policy of Powys Council’s UDP, the draft LDP, and prevailing 2 Chapter 2 policy determinations, in particular in relation to wind and Planning power. Proposals ... should not adversely affect the Statement landscape quality,” (the turbine is two-thirds the height of Blackpool tower on a prominent hill), -”should not adversely affect the occupants of sensitive properties or buildings of conservation interest” (eg the Grade 2 listed hotel in Rhydycroesau entirely dependant on tourism) and should not adversely affect the safe use of highways, especially bridleways, including during the construction phase”. (eg the Ceiriog Long Distance Bridleway, just metres from the proposal) The proposal will generate an insignificant amount ES Volume 2 of local employment in its operational phase, and Employment Chapter 17 even in the construction phase we note that the high-value components are all manufactured abroad. Conversely, the proposal will have a negative effect ES Volume 2 on local and sustainable businesses, especially Tourism Paragraph 17.70 those in the tourism and leisure industries. • Your own Environmental Impact Assessment describes the significant impact on Offa’s Dyke 1900 metres away, (not 2.5km as you state in your application). You state that the visual amenity of walkers will be “significantly affected” (para 10.141) and “the visual Public Rights ES Volume 2 impact on this major earthwork will be severe” and of Way Chapters 4, “it would diminish the significance of the asset” 8 and 10 (11.218 et al). The proposal also directly skirts the Ceiriog Way, a long distance bridle-path, which will effectively curtail this National Trail for horse riders. Your own Environmental Impact Assessment itself describe the impact on the trail as “severe.”
42 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion cont... • Community proposals should also demonstrate Community ES Volume 2 community support. The Council’s stated policy benefit Paragraph 1.20 is “to see far more of the benefits accruing from and 17.131 renewable energy developments be recycled locally and to see that future developments are far better linked to community involvement”. There has been a total absence of community involvement in the development of this project, other than the landowner concerned, and indeed you have developed the project in total secrecy from the local community. Now that you have finally had to go public, local canvassing supports the view that this proposal is meeting with overwhelming community opposition and so will not meet this criterion. You are cynically misusing the term “community energy park” to spin this proposal as a “community initiative” and as a “park”. Email correspondence received from you by Miles Hunter at Pen-y-Dyffryn Hotel states that the only beneficiaries of the development will be the shareholders of the company. Perhaps you are hoping to “buy” community support by allowing local people to buy shares in your company. I assure you any such offer would be rejected by the majority of this community, when the cost will be such an adverse impact on the community and its environment. • The consultation process has been chaotic and far ES Volume 2 Consultation from inclusive of everyone in the affected community. Chapter 5 For example, Oswestry Equestrian Centre, just process 2000 metres from the development, and with an unobstructed view of the turbine, did not even receive your consultation letter nor, so far as we can tell, did anyone on Oswestry Racecourse, on whom you describe the impact as “Major” You have also deliberately chosen to exclude Volume 1 from the public consultation website. This is the section you describe as the “non-technical summary document,” most appropriate for fay readers. Therefore the local community are expected to read and digest over 600 pages of technical data in a very short space of time to filter out what is relevant to them in the application, and its consequences for them.
43 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion cont... This is a deliberate attempt to dissemble and to conceal from the community the full impact of the proposal on our community, our countryside, and our infrastructure. Should you regretfully decide to proceed to a formal planning application we suggest you start the consultation process again in a more accessible manner and to a wider area of the community, or we will challenge the application as a cynical exercise in the misrepresentation of the views of the local community. The policies of Shropshire Planning Policy ES Volume Council are not being given adequate weight in the 2 Chapter 2 consultation process. The development is right on and Planning the Shropshire border and will impact on Shropshire Statement every bit as much as it will Powys, arguably more, as population densities are higher on the Shropshire side of the border than on the Powys side, and the development is on a south facing slope, facing into Shropshire. The proposal will also have serious and adverse effects on several protected landscape designations in Shropshire immediately adjoining the energy park, and these are not being given adequate consideration in your application. The Oswestry Uplands National Character Area immediately Landscape ES Volume alongside the development is described as being 2 Paragraph “of high overall landscape value” and a “small yet 10.69 onwards distinct landscape”, about which it stated objective is to “protect and enhance the area’s distinctive and intricate historic landscape character, and to retain the area’s high tranquillity levels”. Your own draft Planning Application states that the impact on this Oswestry Uplands NCA will be “very high or severe”. (Para 11.190 and 11/191), describes the local impact as “adverse” (Table 10.4) and says it “would result in a significant adverse long term change in the character of the landscape” (Para 10.73). You also say that “it is expected that these significant effects will be considered to be adverse”. (Para 10.129) Tourism and leisure industries are also judged by Shropshire Council to be of high importance in this area.
44 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion cont... Pen-yDyffryn Hotel and the Oswestry Equestrian Tourism ES Volume 2 Centre rely entirely on this sector for their existence, Paragraph 17.70 as do many other local businesses in hospitality and tourism. Furthermore, the Shropshire section of Offa’s Dyke runs only 1900 metres from the proposed development, (incorrectly stated as 2.5 km in your application) and you state “the visual amenity of walkers will be significantly affected” (para 10.141) and “the visual impact on this major earthwork will ES Volume 2 Cultural heritage be severe” and “it would diminish the significance Chapter 11 of the asset” (11.218 and onward). You also say the effect on Offa’s Dyke where it crosses Oswestry Racecourse will be “major” (11.227). The Racecourse is an important and Jong-standing local recreational destination. There are also several Shropshire bridleways and footpaths, some directly bordering the proposal. We would seriously question whether an industrial development with this level of visual impact will enhance tourism and leisure activities in North Shropshire. I Indeed we judge that the development and ancillary pylons will have a substantially negative impact on local businesses, and tourism in the ES Volume 2 Oswestry area in general. • There will be an adverse Ecology (otters Chapter 12 effect on several protected species of local wildlife. and bats) Your application concedes that there are records of Otters and several bat species on and around the site, both in Shropshire and Powys. Disturbance and damage to species and their environment is inevitable during the construction and operational phases. • The views of Wrexham County Council residents and businesses, and Wrexham Council itself, are not being given adequate weight in the consultation ES Volume Planning Policy process. The Wrexham County boundary is just 500 2 Chapter 2 metres from the proposed development and there and Planning appears to have been almost no consultation with Statement its residents and businesses or the county council. • The protected landscape designations in Wrexham County are not being given adequate weight, and the proposal also fails to meet the stated objectives of the Wrexham Local Development Plan regarding landscape protection and community involvement.
45 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion cont... The Clwydian and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Landscape ES Volume 2 Natural Beauty (AONB) is just 6.3 km from the designations Paragraph 10.36 proposed development, and the Wrexham Special Landscape Area is just 500 metres from the proposed development. Wrexham County policy for this area (Berwyn Foothills Planning Guidance) states that “Development which breaches the skyline and would be visible in local and long distance views would be considered inappropriate. Ensure that any new development is integrated within the landscape in main views, through appropriate siting below the skyline with appropriate form, colour and Ecology ES Volume 2 materials” There is also a Biodiversity Protection designations Paragraph 12.40 Area approximately one kilometre from the proposal, and The Llangollen and Eglwyseg Register of Historic Landscape is 7.4km from the proposal. This turbine will have a major impact on such areas within Wrexham County, and your EIA does not adequately represent this impact as Wrexham County appears to have barely been consulted. • Insufficient weight and detail has been given by you on the impact on the local road network of the very Access (route) ES Volume 2 large vehicles required to transport the turbine to Paragraph 8.29 the site along narrow country lanes, through both Shropshire and Powys. Major traffic disruption is inevitable, even conceded in your own application. (Para 8.68 and 8.69) We also seriously doubt that you have adequately represented the road widening that will be required for the “exceptional loads” in your application, and this should be revisited, along ES Volume 2 Grid connection with consultations with affected landowners. • You Paragraph 6.41 have not identified the route or size of new pylons required to connect this development to the national grid in Shropshire next to Rhydycroesau Village Hall. Our investigations also suggest that the local existing llkv power line by the Village Hall will be insufficient to carry the additional load, which means larger pylons will be required from Rhydycroesau back over Oswestry Racecourse into the larger grid near Oswestry. Both pylon routes should form part of separate planning applications to Shropshire Council, prior to applying for the energy park itself.
46 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion Cont... Powys Council policies also reference the need to Cumulative ES Volume 2 determine pylon routes in advance of applications impact Chapter 10 for the development itself. This development will lead to proliferation. There are several pending windfarm proposals within a kilometre of this development, including Severn Trent’s pending multiple-turbine wind-farm proposal at Pen-y-Gwely Reservoir. Powys County Council risks being put in an entirely reactive position to multiple planning applications in this area of Montgomeryshire, a position entirely in conflict with it’s own policies governing such matters. We trust you will acknowledge the strength of community objection to this “community energy park” and reconsider the merits or otherwise of proceeding with this specious and highly unpopular planning application. I am writing to express my profound objection to this proposed development in Powys, immediately adjoining the Shropshire border. I cannot tell you how upset I am at the prospect of you blighting this Landscape and ES Volume 2 unspoiled area of the Shropshire borders by imposing Visual impact Chapter 10 such a large and alien industrial wind-turbine on our beautiful countryside, scarring our community and landscape for decades to come. 1. Apart from the severe visual impact on the local community, the Scale of proposal ES Volume 2 height of this wind turbine means that Powys is by no Chapter 6 means the most affected county. It will be visible from a very significant distance across this entire area of North Shropshire, Wrexham, and Montgomeryshire. ES Volume 2 Consultation Yet almost all your consultations refer only to Powys. Chapter 5 Presumably you have sited this proposal right in the process north-east corner of Powys, not actually crossing the county boundary, to avoid difficult consultations with other county councils. This looks like a very cynical and devious strategy on your part. 2. The consultation process has been seemingly random and has not notified everyone in the local community. Many of our near neighbours did not receive your consultation letter and I suspect many do not even know about the proposal, although they are rapidly finding out and are then almost universally appalled.
47 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion cont... 3. Your online application is missing the part meant for lay-readers (Volume 1), so we locals are expected to read and digest hundreds of pages of technical information in a very short space of time to understand and respond to what you are proposing, and consequential issues like pylons and transport issues. 4. Surely a “community energy park” should Community ES Volume 2 involve the community from its inception. You have benefit Paragraph 1.20 kept this project completely secret until now, ie and 17.131 until you were obliged to publish the consultation documents. And so far as I can see there is little or no benefit to the community, just a hugely divisive proposal that will scar this landscape and community ES Volume Planning policy for years to come. 5. The proposal is at odds with 2 Chapter 2 many aspects of Powys Council’s planning policies and Planning in relation to wind-power, in particular that this sort Statement of “community” project should be generated by the community most affected, and should not adversely affect landscape quality. This proposal fails on both counts. Powys Council also say wind-turbines should ES Volume 2 not adversely affect bridleways. The Ceiriog Long Public rights Chapters 4, Distance Bridleway, which my daughter and her of way 8 and 10 friends ride regularly, is just metres from the proposal, and there is another bridleway connecting to the Ceiriog Trail immediately in front of the proposed energy park on the south side. No-one will be able to ride these bridleways with a spinning rotor the height of a 30 storey building right next to them, and if they did I would be terrified of a horse shying and causing injury to the riders. 6. The proposal will generate ES Volume 2 very little local employment, (the turbine and solar Employment Paragraph 17.5 panels seem to be manufactured abroad), especially when compared to the huge damage it will do to Tourism leisure and tourism in the Oswestry Hills area. The ES Volume 2 Oswestry Hills is one of only a few upland hill areas Paragraph 17.70 in North Shropshire and is the arguably the most scenic and visited area around Oswestry. 7. Oswestry Racecourse will be badly affected, on which you say in your application it will have a “major impact”. This is probably Oswestry’s most long-standing and popular countryside recreational area, and the residents of Oswestry who use the Racecourse do not even know about your proposal to make their views known.
48 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion cont... They will wonder why Shropshire Council “allowed” such a thing to happen, until they discover it is actually in the northern-most extremity of Powys, and Shropshire was effectively blighted. 8. The nearby Consultation ES Volume 2 village of Selattyn in Shropshire two kilometres away process Chapter 5 has not been consulted at all, presumably because it is in Shropshire. I know from talking to the residents of Selattyn that this is causing great offence and consternation. 9. Your own application says there will be a the significant impact on Offa’s Dyke, which runs very nearby the proposal. It states that the visual Cultural heritage ES Volume 2 amenity of walkers will be “significantly affected Chapter 11 and the visual impact on this major earthwork will be severe”. Is this damage to our precious heritage the price of generating such a paltry amount of electricity? 10. Shropshire Council have not been adequately consulted. The development is right on the Shropshire border and the proposal will also have serious and adverse effects on several protected ES Volume 2 Landscape landscape designations in Shropshire immediately Paragraph 10.36 designations adjoining the energy park. These are not being given adequate consideration in your application, perhaps because you have deliberately and cynically chosen to avoid placing any of the actual energy park in Shropshire, even though the landowner on whose land you are proposing the energy park actually lives in Shropshire. This again is planning blight, by one county council against another 11. The Oswestry Uplands National Character Area lies immediately alongside the development. Your own draft Planning Application states that the impact on this Oswestry Uplands NCA will be “very high or severe” and says it “would result in a significant adverse long term change in the character of the landscape”. Have you read your own submission, and the damage you will do? 12. There are many records of Otters ES Volume 2 Ecology and assorted bat species on and around the site, as Chapter 12 well as Curlews, Golden Plovers, Short-eared Owls, Ravens, Ring Ouzel, Merlins, Peregrine Falcons, Red Kite and Hen Harriers. Disturbance and damage is inevitable when faced with such a huge construction project, and probably even just its presence will deter or eliminate such shy and sensitive wildlife.
49 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion cont... Curlews are know to have a reduction of breeding populations of up to 50% within one kilometre of wind-turbines, and have just been added to the RSPB “Red List”, “the highest conservation priority, with species needing urgent action”. 13. The views of Wrexham County Council residents are not being given adequate consideration in the consultation process. The Wrexham County boundary is just 500 metres from the proposed development and there appears to have been no consultation with its residents, eg The entire Ceiriog Valley. The protected Landscape ES Volume 2 landscape designations in Wrexham County are designations Paragraph 10.36 also not being given adequate weight, The Clwydian and Dee Valley AONB is just 6.0 km from the proposal, and the Wrexham Special Landscape Area is just a few hundred metres from the proposed development. There is also a Biodiversity Protection Area approximately one kilometre from the proposal. This turbine will have a major impact on such areas within Wrexham County, and your consultation does not adequately represent this as Wrexham County appears to have had no consultation. 14. Insufficient Access ES Volume 2 detail is available about the impact on the local road Chapter 8 network of the “exceptional vehicles” required to transport materials to the site, through Shropshire and Powys. You say major traffic disruption is inevitable, but I doubt you have given us the full picture about the road widening that will be needed to transport these huge components to the site, especially through ES Volume 2 Grid connection Rhydycroesau. 15. You have not shown on a map Paragraph 6.41 the route or size of new pylons required to connect this development to the national grid. I do not believe that the wooden poles by Rhydycroesau Village Hall will be sufficient to carry the additional load that you say they will, so new, larger pylons will be needed from Rhydycroesau back over The Racecourse towards Oswestry. Pylon routes should be a separate planning application to Shropshire Council, prior to applying for the energy park itself, or Shropshire Council will find itself in an untenable position when considering planning applications for pylon routes.
50 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion cont... 16. There are several pending windfarm proposals Cumulative ES Volume 2 within a kilometre of this development, including impact Chapter 10 Severn Trent’s pending wind-farm proposal at Pen-y-Gwely Reservoir. Powys County Council risks being bombarded by multiple planning applications in this area, and that does not represent good strategic planning. Our property is 1.47 km from the proposed development. We object to this proposal on a Community ES Volume 2 number of points: * The word ‘Community’ in the benefit Paragraphs 1.20 title suggests that this is a community initiative with and 17.131 significant community contact and involvement. This is not the case. * How can you have a proposal for a Renewable Energy Park that does not detail ES Volume 2 Grid connection how the energy generated will be delivered into the Paragraph 6.41 electricity supply network? The route and installation of any above ground power lines that may be required, whether poles or pylons, could be a major ES Volume blight on the local community and vistas. * The Visual impact 2 Paragraph ‘Visual Impact’ assessment seeks to balance off 10.41 onwards significant impacts, such as for Offa’s Dyke, with minimal impact for other sites. Impact on Offa’s Dyke, and each other site, should be respected individually. * There are no recorded impacts, visual or otherwise, on Oswestry Old Racecourse, which is a local community resource in every sense of Access (route) ES Volume 2 the word. * The Exceptional Load Route for site Paragraph 8.29 access, understates the difficulties of the route. The road between The Green Inn at Llangedwyn and Rhydycroesau is a narrow country lane over a hilly terrain with no central road markings. It mostly relies upon passing points to support 2 way car traffic. Larger vehicles do not use this road unless they have to. Llansilin and Rhydycroesau Bridge are particularly challenging to negotiate. The proposed Nootboom Vehicle/Trailer will effectively stop all other traffic on that road. Restricting transport to off-peak hours will not resolve that problem, particularly for farming and emergency traffic, but also for other business, retail and leisure access into and out of Oswestry.
51 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion cont... * The Standard Construction Traffic Route, including As above - HGV’s appears to be through the centre of Oswestry. Given the narrow streets, short streets, and right angle turns, this is going to have a significant impact on traffic through the town. * How are Shropshire Council not more directly involved in this assessment? Shropshire is only a few metres from the boundaries of the proposed park. Shropshire will be subjected to major traffic challenges on the A5, the A483, and through Oswestry town itself. Shropshire will likely be the route for getting generated energy into the electricity supply network. Shropshire Council manage the Old Oswestry Racecourse and both the routing of ‘normal site traffic’ through the middle of the Racecourse, and the possible energy routing across, or by, the Racecourse may compromise that community resource. Please note my comments, both for this consultation exercise and for any follow up planning application. We write in respect to your proposed development at Cefn-Y-Maes. Firstly we would like to state the Consultation ES Volume 2 consultation process is flawed as the general public’s process Chapter 5 awareness of the proposed development in the local area is minimal. We live opposite the proposed development & heard 3rd hand from local residents about the plans & the deadline for objections. The proposed concept of the Energy Park has been poorly communicated within the local community & the standard 500 required letters have not been circulated as they should. The web page is incomplete in sections & hence uninformative to lay readers. The ES Volume 2 so called “Community” development is at best Paragraphs 1.20 Community a “Commercial” Energy park whose conception and 17.131 & planning has been poorly communicated. We benefit strongly object to this development & would state the main reasons as follows 1) The unspoilt country ES Volume Landscape side bordering the proposed site is on the one side 2 Paragraph character “The Oswestry Uplands National Character Area” & 10.69 onwards on the other the Wales border foot hills these unique areas are greatly valued by locals & visitors alike due to their immense beauty & rolling nature walks.
52 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion cont... In fact within your own assessment, the projected effect on this area is considered to have a “very high Cultural heritage ES Volume 2 or severe” adverse effect. 2) The historic integrity of Chapter 11 the area will be scared by the development with Offa’s Dyke running close by. This again is best summed up by your own assessment “the visual impact on the ES Volume 2 Tourism major earthwork will be severe” The impact to local Paragraph 17.70 tourism from these fist two points is very negative, we should be enhancing our natural assets in the area Scale of proposal not detracting from them. 3) The number of the solar ES Volume 2 panels is excessive & the screening to prevent visual Chapter 6 disparity to the natural backdrop is not explained with further screening deemed to be unnecessary. This is not acceptable as many residential properties views would be directly on to the site. 4) The average height of wind turbines in the area is around 25 ES Volume 2 meters & this one is larger than many of the local hills Visual impact Paragraph 10.41 themselves. The negative visual impact would be severe for 1000’s of Powys & Shropshire residence ES Volume 2 alike. 5) The transport implications are vast for this Access (route) Paragraph 8.29 development which ever unsuitable route is used to access the proposed site , with small country lanes being cut up to facilitate 30ft long wagons. Either route will cause dangerous levels of increased congestion & disruption through local market towns which would have a negative effect on trade & quality of life for residence. The widening of the lanes will also decimate wildlife with established historic Proliferation hedgerows disappearing. 6) Proliferation of future ES Volume 2 turbines is likely given past wind farm developments Landscape Chapter 10 elsewhere & the unique landscape would be lost for future generations’ to enjoy, whilst deterring visitors & harming normal rural business that are vital to local market town prosperity. We are surprised this proposal has reached this stage given its location & negative impact on the area & look forward to hearing of your cessation of plans to develop further. I have spent my whole life living in this beautiful - - village Rhydycroesau. I was born and brought up surrounded by countryside which has shaped my life.
53 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion cont... My main hobby is horse-riding along with running and of course walking my dogs in this natural, unspoilt and quiet area. I am appalled to hear the plans you have in place for this area which I call my home. The sheer size of the turbine your plans include is, Scale of proposal ES Volume 2 in my opinion, absurd. It is a monstrosity. This is far Chapter 6 taller than any wind turbine I have ever seen in my life. To hear that there are plans for this to be put just one mile from my house is deeply upsetting. Your company sets itself up itself to be in favour of idea of “looking after the world” with “green energy” but this could not be further from the truth. Your plans ES Volume 2 Community are so damaging to the currently green area I live Paragraphs 1.20 benefit in, and to call it a “community energy park” implies and 17.131 the community supports you, which from talking to my neighbours I am sure they do not. Firstly there is the setting up of this humungous (100 metre) turbine, which will cause huge disruption in my lovely small village, with a huge amount of transport Access vehicles, heavy machinery and heavy traffic. I recently ES Volume 2 (construction witnessed parts of turbines coming from Chester Paragraph 8.46 traffic) down to Mid Wales and just the single parts of these turbines dismantled are disturbingly enormous. I can’t even begin to imagine these coming through my country lanes which I so safely ride along, with all the neighbours often stopping to wave and say a ES Volume 2 hello. The field in which the turbine is to be erected Public rights Chapters 4, in is just a few metres from my favourite bridleway of way taking me on the lovely moors where the North 8 and 10 Wales/ England border is at its best. Next to a large forest, beside a reservoir with specular views of the Shropshire plain and the Welsh hills on the other side. This turbine will have huge effects on this bridleway and footpath. I for one would not be able to take my horse up there ever again if there were a 100 metre turbine just a few metres from it. Given the noise and the unnatural structure moving around I am sure my horse would not be safe to ride. I also have friends Consultation that I meet on horseback up there from Selattyn who ES Volume 2 process have not even been informed about this planning! Chapter 5
54 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion cont... Therefore they aren’t able to tell you their opinions as they had no information! The turbine is also in Visual impact ES Volume such a position that it will be seen from so far away. 2 Paragraph Being on the first line of hills in Wales, just as the 10.41 onwards border starts, means it will be seen from far, far away on the Shropshire plain. Apparently Shropshire has no knowledge of this turbine what so ever. This seems somewhat unfair and perhaps quite cunning? They aren’t able to comment on something they do not know is happening. I have also just recently committed to going into my family business, Pen-y- Dyffryn Hotel, which is in Rhydycroesau. The hotel ES Volume 2 has awards from people like The Good Hotel Guide Tourism Paragraph 17.70 last year, who voted us as “British Hotel with the Best Views” and “Best Walking Hotel”. That is the USP and mainstay of the business. My parents bought this hotel 28 years ago and have brought guests to this lovely little spot from all around the world, of which 50 % return, time after time again. The hotel’s main attraction is the lovely walking around here. Many people bring their dogs to this country hotel and they say what an unspoilt and undiscovered little gem the Shropshire/North Wales border is. The guests we have coming day after day, year after year, all tell me just how peaceful, beautiful and natural the area around the hotel is. And they visit Oswestry and spend their money in the local shops every day, so it is good for everyone. There is no question that putting a 100 metre turbine up less than a mile from my house and family run hotel would have detrimental effects on the hotel, and threaten the local employment it provides. I am sure our hotel guests would write to you and object if they knew what you are suggesting. I hope you will abandon these plans to ruin our countryside and our village. I strongly object to the proposed energy park near Landscape ES Volume 2 Cefn Canol. This will not only ruin the landscape Chapter 10 but will also undermine the habitat of the ‘red listed’ ES Volume 2 Curlew, not to mention all the associated health Ecology (Curlew) Chapter 12 issues associated with turbines and pylons, which will be detrimental to the people who live nearby. ES Volume 2 Health Chapters 13, 14 and 17
55 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion I object to the above proposal because: 1. The area Landscape ES Volume 2 is currently one of unspoiled beauty and silence. 2. chapter 10 Public rights It contains major recreational routes which would of way ES Volume 2 be spoiled both visually and aurally. 3. New power chapters 4, transmission lines would impact an area much larger Grid connection 8 and 10 than the designated site. 4. Heavy construction Access ES Volume 2 vehicles accessing the energy park and wind turbine (construction Paragraph 6.41 would have a detrimental effect on the narrow traffic) country lanes not designed or suitable for HGV ES Volume 2 Proliferation traffic. 5. This park would open the way for further Paragraph 8.46 industrialisation of the rural countryside in this area. ES Volume 2 Chapter 6 I am writing on behalf of Pen-y-Dyffryn Hotel, Rhydycroesau, to express our vigorous objections to this proposed development. Our concerns lie not so much with the solar panels, but with the very Scale of wind ES Volume 2 large wind turbine, the biggest for many miles in any turbine Chapter 6 direction. Wind turbines elsewhere in this area are roughly 20 metres high, so this turbine is five times as big, stuck on top of a hill. This 102 metre turbine is two thirds the height of Blackpool Tower. We will be able to see the turbine from Pen-y-Dyffryn Hotel itself, (your para 11.240 refers) and from most of Individual views ES Volume 2 the countryside surrounding the hotel, and I judge it Paragraph 10.138 will have a severely detrimental effect on our entirely tourism-based business and the local employment ES Volume 2 we provide. I am also sending my objections to Tourism three County Councils, many Community Councils, Paragraph 17.70 Shropshire’s tourism bodies, Oswestry’s and Shropshire business communities, the community opposition campaign group(CARTE), and many other interested, and as yet not consulted, parties. I would ES Volume 2 make the following comments -1. A “community” Community Paragraphs 1.20 energy park should involve the community from its benefit and 17.131 inception. You have kept this project totally secret from the community until now, when you were presumably obliged to go public with the consultation documents. And so far as we can see there is little or no benefit to the community, just a very unilateral proposal from you that will scar this landscape, community and local Consultation ES Volume 2 businesses for years to come. 2. The consultation process Chapter 5 process has been random and incomplete and has not notified everyone in the local community.
56 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion cont... Oswestry Equestrian Centre, just 2000 metres from the development, and with an unobscured view of the whole turbine, did not even receive your consultation letter. Their business, which is introducing horse riders to this lovely area, will be devastated. Many of our near neighbours also did not receive your consultation letter and I suspect many do not even know about the proposal, although they are rapidly finding out and are getting ready to oppose you. 3. It is notable that you have deliberately omitted Volume 1 from your application website, which is the summary document for lay-readers. So local residents are expected to read and digest over 600 pages of technical information in a few short weeks to extract what is meaningful to them. This does not demonstrate good local consultation practice for what you entitle a “Community” Energy Park. Indeed there is nothing in your submission to indicate on what grounds at all this can be called a“community energy park”. According to an email we have subsequently received from you, the only beneficiaries of the development will be the shareholders of the development company. So this does not appear to be a community development ES Volume 2 Paragraph 10.41 in any accepted meaning of the term. 4. Apart from Visual impact the severe visual impact on the local community, our business and the local employment we generate, the height of this wind turbine means that Powys is by no means the most affected county. The farm on which you are siting this proposal is almost entirely in Shropshire, as is the farmer’s farmhouse. The turbine will be visible from a very significant distance across the entire area of North Shropshire, Wrexham, and Montgomeryshire. Yet almost all your consultations refer only to Powys. Presumably you have sited this proposal right in the north-east corner of Powys, carefully not actually crossing any county boundary, to avoid “undesirable” consultations with other less favourably-disposed county councils. This looks like obfuscation and deviousness on your part to keep Shropshire and Wrexham Councils out of the loop, especially regarding the pylons and transport issues, which mainly affect Shropshire rather than Powys.
57 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion cont... 5. The proposal will generate very little local Employment ES Volume 2 employment, as the turbine and solar panels are to Paragraph 17.5 be manufactured abroad, especially when compared to the huge damage it will do to leisure and tourism in the Oswestry Hills area. The Oswestry Hills is one of only a few upland hill areas in North Shropshire and is the arguably the most scenic and visited area ES Volume around Oswestry.6. The proposal is at odds with Planning policy many aspects of Powys Council’s planning policies 2 Chapter 2 in relation to wind-power, in particular that this sort and Planning of “community” project should be generated by the Statement community most affected, and should not adversely affect landscape quality. This proposal fails on both counts. Powys Council also say wind-turbines should not adversely affect bridleways. The Ceiriog Long Public rights ES Volume 2 Distance Bridleway, which our customers walk and of way Chapters 4, ride regularly, is just metres from the proposal, and 8 and 10 there is another bridleway connecting to the Ceiriog Trail immediately in front of the proposed energy park on the Shropshire side. No-one will be able to ride these bridleways with a spinning rotor the height of a 30 storey building right next to them, and if they did I would be worried about injury to the riders on all but the most robust of horses. 7. Oswestry ES Volume 2 Racecourse will be badly affected, on which you Landscape Chapter 10 say in your application it will have a “major impact”. This is Oswestry’s most long-standing and popular countryside recreational area, and the residents of Oswestry who use the Racecourse do not even know about your proposal to make their views known. They will wonder why Shropshire Council “allowed” such a thing to happen, until they discover it is actually in the northern-most extremity of Powys, and North Shropshire was effectively blighted.8. The nearby village of Selattyn in Shropshire, two kilometres away, has not been consulted at all, presumably because it is in Shropshire. Neither has ES Volume 2 the Ceiriog Valley in Wrexham County. I know from Cultural heritage Chapter 11 talking to the residents that this is causing great offence and consternation. 9. Your own application says there will be a the significant impact on Offa’s Dyke, which runs very nearby the proposal.
58 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion cont... It states that the visual amenity of walkers will be “significantly affected and the visual impact on this major earthwork will be severe”. Is this damage to our precious heritage the price of generating such a paltry amount of electricity?10. Shropshire Council Consultation ES Volume 2 have not been adequately consulted. (I can only see process Chapter 5 a reference to their “Historic Environment Technician”, who seemed to be somewhat short on information). The development is right on the Shropshire border (zero metres) and the proposal will also have serious and adverse effects on several protected landscape designations in Shropshire immediately adjoining the energy park. These are not being given adequate consideration in your application, perhaps because you have deliberately and cynically chosen to avoid placing any of the actual energy park in Shropshire, even though the landowner on whose land you are proposing the energy park actually lives in Shropshire. This again is planning blight, by one county council against another11. The Oswestry Uplands National Character Area lies immediately Landscape ES Volume 2 alongside the development. Your own draft Planning character Paragraph 10.69 Application states that the impact on this Oswestry Uplands NCA will be “very high or severe” and says it “would result in a significant adverse long term change in the character of the landscape”. Have you really comprehended your own submission, and the damage you will do?12. There are many records of Otters and assorted bat species on and around the Ecology (Otter ES Volume 2 site, as well as Curlews, Golden Plovers, Short-eared and birds) Chapter 12 Owls, Ravens, Ring Ouzel, Merlins, Peregrine Falcons, Red Kite and Hen Harriers. Disturbance and damage is inevitable when faced with such a huge construction project, and probably even just its presence will deter or eliminate such shy and sensitive wildlife. Curlews are know to have a reduction of breeding populations of up to 50% within one kilometre of wind-turbines, and have just been recently added to the RSPB “Red List”, “the highest conservation priority, with species needing urgent action”.13. The views of Wrexham County Council residents are not being given adequate consideration in the consultation process.
59 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion cont... The Wrexham County boundary is just 500 metres from the proposed development and there appears to have been no consultation with its residents, eg The entire Ceiriog Valley. The protected landscape designations in Wrexham County are also not being Landscape ES Volume 2 given adequate weight, The Clwydian and Dee designations Paragraph 10.36 Valley AONB is just 6.0 km from the proposal, and the Wrexham Special Landscape Area is just a few hundred metres from the proposed development. There is also a Biodiversity Protection Area approximately one kilometre from the proposal. Ecology ES Volume 2 This turbine will have a major impact on such areas designations Paragraph 12.40 within Wrexham County, and your consultation does not adequately represent this, as Wrexham County appears to have had no consultation.14. Insufficient detail is available from you about the Access (route) ES Volume 2 impact on the local road network of the “exceptional Paragraph 8.29 vehicles” required to transport materials to the site, through Shropshire and Powys. You say major traffic disruption is “inevitable”, but I doubt you have given us the full picture about the road widening that will be needed to transport these huge components to the site, especially through Rhydycroesau, right at the entrance to the hotel’s drive15. You have not shown ES Volume 2 Grid connection on a map the route or size of new pylons required to Paragraph 6.41 connect this development to the national grid. I do not believe that the wooden poles at the entrance to the hotel drive will be sufficient to carry the additional load that you say they will, so new, larger pylons will be needed from Rhydycroesau back over The Racecourse towards Oswestry. Pylon routes should be a separate planning application to Shropshire Council, prior to applying for the energy park itself, or Shropshire Council will find itself in an untenable position when considering retrospective planning applications for pylon routes. 16. There are several Cumulative pending windfarm proposals within a kilometre of ES Volume 2 impact this development, including Severn Trent’s pending chapter 10 wind-farm proposal at Pen-y-Gwely Reservoir. Powys County Council risks being bombarded by multiple indiscriminate planning applications in this area, and that does not represent good strategic planning on the part of the planning authority.
60 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion cont... I sincerely hope you will consider these points - - before moving forward with your plans. In particular that you will consider the merits or otherwise of imposing this huge turbine on our landscape and community without any evidence of community involvement since its conception. I would like to object to the proposed development; Consultation Cefn-y-Maes Community Energy Park Rhydycroesau process ES Volume 2 There has been no consultation, no environmental Chapter 5 impact assessment and no local awareness campaign has been undertaken. Please do feel EIA free to contact me to discuss this further or our local MP, Owen Paterson copied on this email. Having just returned from holiday and not having received prior consultation from your Company, I am unable to submit a written comment by post. The proposed site is in a beautiful unspoiled landscape Landscape ES Volume 2 of undulating hills visible from the Old Racecourse Chapter 10 and other neighbouring areas and admired by residents and visitors. The Old Racecourse area ES Volume 2 is being promoted to attract more tourists and Tourism this industrial development would have a serious Paragraph 17.70 impact on the attractiveness of a completely rural landscape. Should this proposal proceed to a formal application, I suggest that you cover the site with a shiny black plastic sheet and erect a 101 meter high ES Volume 2 white tower surmounted with a speaker playing a Noise Chapter 13 recording of a working turbine 24 hours a day for the consultation period, so that the public have a proper appreciation of the implications of this development. Councillors, your representatives and the general public are very welcome to view the site from my garden to get a perspective of the proposal from this side of the valley. I trust that you will forward these comments to the Powys Council Planning Department and any other appropriate authority.
61 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion Having just found out about your preposed 100 Cultural heritage ES Volume 2 meter tall turbine in a site of historical interest,and a chapter 11 site that has many different species of raptors and other wildfowl. also the are bee orchids,monkshood Ecology and phlottileries,and other rare plants. so I must object Ornithology ES Volume 2 to your ill considerd plan. this preposel will blight Chapter 12 a site of unusual natural interest and beauty. In reply to a request for comments on the above proposed development. We object strongly for the reasons given herewith:- 1. Community - using this word in the title is unwise given the fact the research Community ES Volume 2 has not been good. It is a unique and valued benefit Paragraphs 1.20 group where the population of both Rhydycroesau and 17.131 and District including the Old Racecourse, and surrounding areas are the Community. Then why were there no letters and copy of the proposed development sent out to the Shropshire side of the ES Volume 2 Access (route) border with Wales? 2. Access - the roads around Paragraph 8.29 the site and area approaches are all “B” roads. Narrow with mainly high banked ancient hedgerows carefully managed and with many environmentally attractive features including rare abundance of primroses, violets, honeysuckle, briar roses and so on. When the traffic comes through, as in the plans, some parts will be seriously damaged and can never ES Volume 2 be restored to their original status. 3. Onward Plans Grid connection Paragraph 6.41 - there appears to be no planning for the distribution of the electricity i.e. connection to whichever sub- station. This is totally unacceptable. 4. Tourism Tourism ES Volume 2 - this is a scenic and ancient area and proudly has Paragraph 17.70 Offa’s Dyke Way, and several other Public Rights ES Volume 2 of Way & hiking routes throughout. Several other Public rights Chapters 4, areas in this part of Wales have large Wind Turbine of way 8 and 10 developments already. We do not want this area to be polluted with any at all.5. Economics - the cost ES Volume 2 of erecting a wind turbine of 102 metres and 2,588 Economics Chapter 17 solar panels plus the relative infastructure is huge. Never mind the cost of removing it(apart from the large concrete base !) in just 25 - 30 years time. But it is only going to provide electricity for 554 “normal” households or 57 .1 % in the Llansilin Council area. The sums do not add up - how can it be cost effective ? In conclusion, this proposal is badly planned and without proper research. It is not wanted here.
62 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion I am contacting you with regard to the proposed Energy Park development at Cefn-y-Maes. I strongly object to these plans for several reasons:Firstly, I notice that there is no mention of how the proposed Grid connection ES Volume 2 Energy Park will be connected to the grid - WHERE Paragraph 6.41 would the new pylons be situated? This should be submitted as part of the planning application and is a major concern for every resident and visitor that I have spoken to. I can guarantee that nobody wants to see a row of hideous pylons here. The position of ES Volume 2 the proposed wind turbine and solar park is facing Site location the Old Racecourse in Shropshire and Offa’s Dyke. I Chapter 3 believe this will have a huge negative visual impact ES Volume 2 along this section of such an important historic site. Visual impact Paragraph 10.41 Besides this, the position of the site AND the height of the proposed turbine will mean that it would be highly visible not only to ourselves here in Powys, but also to our bordering communities in Shropshire and Clwyd.Indeed, the height of the proposed wind turbine is ridiculous when put in the context of the relatively small-scale landscape it would sit in - I Scale of ES Volume 2 believe no other turbines within a very wide area of development chapter 6 here exceed 20mtrs in height, in comparison with this at 102mtrs! This is an incredibly popular area with walkers, cyclists and horse riders alike. At least two ES Volume 2 nearby riding stables regularly use the bridleways Public rights Chapters 4, adjacent to and surrounding the proposed site. 8 and 10 This development would certainly have negative of way consequences on their businesses. The disruption to these rights of way is totally unacceptable in an area that attracts such visitors BECAUSE of it’s pristine and unspoilt landscape. I am also incredibly concerned Access (route) ES Volume 2 about the proposed routes for construction traffic Paragraph 8.29 and the turbine itself. Both routes to the site (from Oswestry and/or Llansilin) are very difficult, narrow, winding roads - not even wide enough for two full lanes in parts. Both routes have very narrow bridges on bad bends... Both bridges are VERY old and one at least I believe is Listed. Damage to or alteration of these are out of the question. Add to this the regular farm traffic, school buses, public transport, refuse collections, school run, horses, cyclists, motorcyclists and people commuting to work from all directions, and you have a potential nightmare.
63 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion cont... On top of this, the roads are already susceptible to subsidence in places and not in a great state of repair - they certainly cannot take any more damage from heavy and increased traffic for an ‘Energy Park’. I am also very disappointed (although perhaps Consultation ES Volume 2 not surprised) at the complete lack of Community process Chapter 5 Consultation. An apparently random selection of households received letters regarding the proposals, while others did not. Strange don’t you think... There have been no public meetings to explain your proposals to our community. Also, Volume 1 - the section on the Developer’s website which is written in non-technical/layman’s terminology - was conveniently missing. This basically meant that we have had to plough through volumes of technical jargon and waffle in order to attempt to pick out the important bits and understand your proposals. This is unacceptable. I would also like to point out that there Ecology (otters) ES Volume 2 are a variety of rare plants and animals recorded in Chapter 12 the proposed area itself and along the access route to the site. Otters are recorded in the immediate area and are fully protected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and are a European Protected Species. The proposed development would undoubtedly disturb these mammals and therefore will require a survey to be carried out by a suitably qualified independent ecologist. In conclusion; I object to the proposed development of a wind turbine and solar park at Cefn-y-Maes for the above reasons. Whilst I am very much in favour of renewables (a Good Energy customer myself) I fail to see the benefits of developing an ‘Energy Park’ at this site. The many and varied negative impacts of such a development, to the local environment, community, businesses, traffic and tourism (to ES Volume 2 Tourism mention a few) simply outweigh it’s benefits. I Paragraph 17.70 sincerely hope you decide not to proceed with this totally inappropriate and unacceptable development.
64 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion I am writing in relation to the above proposed development in Powys and to express my concern ES Volume 2 about the impact it may have on our community. chapter 6 Scale of proposal The issues I have identified are: • The proposed wind turbine is far larger than others in the area, ES Volume 2 thus increasing its visual impact and making it vastly Visual impact out of proportion in relation to our small-scale local Paragraph 10.41 landscape.• There will be a huge impact on local residents as a result of the significant increase in Access ES Volume 2 heavy goods traffic in terms of noise and disruption (construction Paragraph 8.46 along the narrow country lanes of the area, access traffic) routes that are wholly inappropriate for such vehicles. • The proximity of the development to the Ceiriog ES Volume 2 Way and Offa’s Dyke will significantly affect horse Public rights Chapters 4, riders and walkers from the local area and those that of way travel from further afield to enjoy these invaluable 8 and 10 natural assets. Clearly this would have an impact on the economy of the local area. • There is a complete misuse of the term “Community Energy Community Park”. This has been evidenced even at this early ES Volume 2 benefit stage by the omission of Volume 1 (summary Paragraphs 1.20 document) from the company’s website and the and 17.131 lack of consultation in the affected communities. Indeed, it appears that the only beneficiaries of this scheme will be the shareholders of the development Proliferation ES Volume 2 company. • Lastly, this development has the Chapter 6 potential to lead to proliferation, further damaging the unspoilt beauty of the local landscape. With regard to your proposals for the above development, I would like to make the following comments to be included in your planning application. I am a strong supporter of renewable energy and Technology ES Volume 2 would like the government and renewable energy Chapter 2 companies to put more resources in developing this rather than environmentally damaging and potentially toxic alternatives such as fracking for gas, coal extraction and nuclear power. I believe that a mix of large scale developments, for example off- shore wind, and small scale initiatives, for example, photovoltaic panels on domestic and commercial premises and small-scale hydro schemes could combine to meet most of our energy needs.
65 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion cont... However, as shown in schemes operating on the Scottish mainland and islands, renewable energy schemes work best when part of a genuine community initiative and where there are tangible Community ES Volume 2 benefits for the community. These typically take benefit Paragraphs 1.20 the form of cheap electricity for the community and 17.131 and money from selling surplus generation being ploughed back into the community. Your proposal is called ‘Cefn Y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park’ and yet, to my knowledge, the local community has not been involved in developing these proposals and I can find no reference to any benefit for the local community in your submission apart from, ‘Opportunity for local people to invest in a renewable energy project’; not a community benefit by most people’s standards. On this basis, I strongly object to your planning application as a community initiative.I also feel that your proposal does not take into the account the visual impact on the local ES Volume 2 Visual impact environment. I understand that you wish to maximise Paragraph 10.41 energy generation but this should be tempered by a sensitivity to the impact on the topography of the Scale of ES Volume 2 area. In this respect, the size of the wind turbine development would look out of all proportion to the rolling, hilly Chapter 6 area and the number of photovoltaic panels too large to be mitigated by the planting of hedgerows. This project would be far more suitable and less dominant in a large, upland, moorland area but not in an environment such as here which is characterised by a series of small hills and valleys. Finally, I am ES Volume 2 concerned at the noise that may be emitted from the Noise Paragraph 13 turbine in certain weather conditions to those of us who live close by in Cefn Canol. I may have missed reference to this in the many pages of this proposal but I would like confirmation that nearby residents would not be affected by noise from the turbine. To summarise, I object to the planning proposal for the following reasons: 1) There are no benefits to the local community from this proposal, the local community has not been involved in developing these proposals and there are no plans to do so in this submission.
66 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion cont... 2) The scale of the proposed scheme is out of - - proportion to the topography of the local area and would look unsightly. 3) I am concerned about the possibility of noise emanating from the turbine in certain weather conditions that may affect the health and comfort of people in the immediate area. This is a protest at the lack of information about a Consultation ES Volume 2 proposed energy site a couple of hundred yards from process Chapter 5 our house in Cefn Canol on the Welsh border. My wife and I have only just heard from a neighbour that this is intended. Please give us more information. I write in response to your recent invitation for comments on this proposed development. I object strongly to the proposal of industrialising a beautiful natural landscape to reward the pockets of the few, Landscape ES Volume 2 on the pretext of helping the many. Seven percent of Chapter 10 the worlds carbon dioxide emissions are generated from the production of OP cement, of which you will use hundreds of tons on a single 101 m high generator. I do not understand the justification for allowing a proliferation of sites which contribute only ES Volume 2 marginally to renewable energy supply to desecrate Proliferation unspoilt countryside. Permission for this site is likely to Chapter 6 encourage further encroachment. Wind Turbines are ES Volume 2 definitely not green and litter the landscape, together Grid connection Paragraph 6.41 with the pylons which will undoubtedly accompany them. The plight of ground nesting birds is already of great importance and this project is bound to Ecology and ES Volume 2 make the problem worse. People, both residents ornithology Chapter 12 and visitors will lose the peace and unspoilt views of this area as well as local businesses suffering. The impact of transportation of these structures Access ES Volume 2 through our local roads and the possible disruption (construction Paragraph 8.46 of alterations to the existing by-ways is unthinkable. traffic) I strongly urge you to reconsider this project. We are writing to object to the proposal and express Economics ES Volume 2 our deep concern about the impact on our business Chapter 17 of this substantial proposed development in Powys, directly adjoining the Shropshire country boundary, ES Volume 2 and just 2000 metres from our business, Oswestry Consultation Chapter 5 Equestrian Centre and Carreg-y-Big B&B. There has process been no letter inviting comments at our business.
67 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion cont... This is most concerning when this is the closest Visual impact ES Volume 2 business to the development and will have a full Paragraph 10.41 and unobstructed view of the turbine. It will also ES Volume 2 leave us exposed to other undesirable effects of the Noise Chapter 13 noise pollution and the subsequent impact on the horses’ behaviour, affecting our business directly. The development is in an area much used by walkers, ES Volume 2 cyclist and riders. Several long-distance paths cross Public rights Chapters 4, the area, some very close to the development and of way 8 and 10 the impact on equestrian users will be particularly marked. It is this unspoilt countryside which is the attraction not only to local residents and people living Tourism ES Volume 2 in the nearby communities, but also for the visitors Paragraph 17.70 from the area from further afield, including overseas, and will irreparably damage our livelihood as it severely impacts in the business’ unique sale points (closeness to Offa’s Dyke, availability of equestrian trails and beauty of the unspoilt countryside). We look forward to receiving your response addressing the above points in particular survival of our business which has been put in an unsustainable position due to this proposal, damaging not only our family’s livelihood and future but also the right of many to enjoy our unspoilt countryside by the community, the country and overseas visitors. I am writing to object to the proposal and express Economics ES Volume 2 our deep concern about the impact on our business Chapter 17 of this substantial proposed development in Powys, directly adjoining the Shropshire country boundary. I ES Volume 2 have received no letter inviting comments at Carreg-y- Consultation Chapter 5 Big, my property where my family and I live and where process Oswestry Equestrian Centre is based. This is most concerning when this is the closest business to the development (2,000 metres from the proposal and will have a full and unobstructed view of the turbine. It ES Volume 2 Visual impact will also leave us exposed to other undesirable effects Paragraph 10.41 of the noise pollution and the subsequent impact on the horses’ behaviour and therefore on my business. Noise The development is in an area much used by walkers, ES Volume 2 cyclist and riders. Several long-distance paths cross Chapter 13 the area, some very close to the development and the impact on equestrian users will be particularly marked.
68 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion cont... It is this unspoilt countryside which is the attraction not only to local residents and people living in the Public rights ES Volume 2 nearby communities, but also for the visitors from of way Chapters 4, the area from further afield, including overseas, 8 and 10 and will irreparably damage our livelihood as it ES Volume 2 severely impacts in the business’ unique sale points Tourism (closeness to Offa’s Dyke, availability of equestrian Paragraph 17.70 trails and beauty of the unspoilt countryside). I look forward to receiving your response addressing the above points in particular survival of my business which has been put in an unsustainable position due to this proposal, damaging not only our family’s livelihood and future but also the right of many to enjoy our unspoilt countryside by the community, the country and overseas visitors. As you can see from our address we live within the community which will be directly affected by this proposed development. We have set below a summary of our concerns and objections to the scheme: • The developers are deliberately mis- Community ES Volume 2 using the terminology “community development” benefit Paragraphs 1.20 as many local residents and businesses have not and 17.131 even received the basic consultation letter and the “Community Energy Park” does not appear to benefit anybody except the developers. In addition, there has been no prior consultation with the local ES Volume 2 community about the requirement or benefits Proliferation of such a scheme. • If the project were to be Chapter 6 successful, the development would undoubtedly ES Volume 2 lead to proliferation and further degradation of the Access (route) Paragraph 8.29 local environment. • It appears that the alterations to the local transport network would be significant, and detrimental, to all inhabitants and visitors to the area. Any work on the road network to enable the transport of the infrastructure would completely destroy the character and charm of the area, let alone the safety of the local traffic. • The developers have Grid connection ES Volume 2 not identified the route or magnitude of the power Paragraph 6.41 tine and pylon network that would be required to connect such a development to the National Grid.
69 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion cont... • The developers have only consulted directly with Consultation ES Volume 2 a minute number of local residents in this area of process Chapter 5 Powys and as the proposed development is situated adjacent to the Shropshire border and very close to the Wrexham Borough Council and Denbighshire borders, there is a significant population that would be directly affected who currently know n0thing about this proposed scheme. • The scale of the Scale of proposal ES Volume 2 turbine is completely out of keeping with the scale Chapter 6 of the landscape There is large scale opposition both locally and further afield and we will be liaising with our neighbours from Shropshire, Wrexham Borough Council and Denbighshire who would all be affected by the proposal and who have, as yet and to my knowledge, not been consulted. As you can see from our address I live about 1.5 kilometres from the site and our community will be directly affected by this proposed development. The site proposed for development is rural and unspoilt Ecology and ES Volume 2 and full of wildlife. In the spring and summer the ornithology Chapter 12 curlew visit this area and can be seen circling around the upland moorlands, nesting and bringing up their young. The solar panels are planned by ENGENA to cover 1.2 hectares with glass (that’s nearly three Scale of ES Volume 2 acres!!) and a huge environment to wreck. The development Chapter 6 building of a 101 metre turbine would mean a man- made structure almost two thirds the height of Blackpool Tower sticking up in the air and visible for miles around. My friends and I walk and cycle in the area and the idea of meeting huge vehicles on the Public rights ES Volume 2 local roads is terrifying. These vehicles will be huge of way Chapters 4, and ENGENA will also destroy sections of hedge 8 and 10 bank and corners so that the vehicles can fit on the Access (route) roadways. This is huge disruption to a rural area and ES Volume 2 surely the solar Park and turbine and best situated on Paragraph 8.29 industrial sites. Has ENGENA contacted and of the businesses on the Oswestry Industrial Estate as there are several acres of roof space already on the various buildings there. There is also a good network of power cables and pylons close to the National Grid. Please do not proceed with the application as I and my friends will say NO to the scheme time and time again.
70 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion cont... I am totally against this proposal. It can hardly be an Energy ES Volume 2 altruistic proposal to benefit as few as 554 homes generation Paragraph 1.8 with intermittent electricity - the homes would not, and Appendix 1 of course, be “Powys homes” as the electricity will have to be transmitted by pylons, some in Powys some in Shropshire, to a distribution centre. The object must be purely for the financial gain of the ES Volume 2 Community Cefn-y-Maes Community Renewable Energy Park Paragraphs 1.20 benefit Ltd. Reg Power Management and Engena. There and 17.131 is no benefit to the local community at all, financial or otherwise. On the contrary, local visitors, tourism Public rights and local outdoor pursuits - walking and horse ES Volume 2 of way riding - will tend to be discouraged from staying Chapters 4, around this area because of the overwhelming size 8 and 10 and location of the turbine and solar display. This site is in a particularly unspoilt area of border hill country. The turbine would have been adjacent to the Llwybr Ceiriog National Trail, and easily visible from Britain’s National Trail, the ancient Offa’s Dyke heritage border wall. Visible from Shropshire - which Cultural heritage ES Volume 2 would not I believe permit or condone a turbine of Chapter 11 such a height, and neighbouring on Wrexham which would not accept such a development. There has been little comprehensive consultation or meeting Consultation ES Volume 2 with residents in the area. Disturbance, rerouting process Chapter 5 and damage to local roads, lanes and byways will be permanent, and the routing of the loads through this country area will affect safety and the impact on the villages concerned will be considerable. To sum - it is in my opinion an ill-conceived and useless proposal. The cost in material manufacture, the ‘carbon footprint’ of transport and erection may outweigh any ‘green benefit.’ Who will fund the cost of removal of all the material in thirty years when the De- ES Volume 2 existing companies may no longer be in existence? commissioning Chapter 7 The site is likely to remain derelict unless a fund is deposited with a government department to cover the expected cost in thirty years - by which time the cost of removal may well exceed the installation cost and the benefit of the electricity provided. I and my family have farmed her for over one hundred years.
71 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion cont... I have visited here almost annually when it was my great uncle’s place and my father Individual views ES Volume 2 and I farmed here from 1951. I now farm over Paragraph 10.138 a hundred acres - but being ninety years of age - on a reduced scale! Although I calculate that I might have seen the tip of the rotor from my house, this is the least of my concerns. I trust you will take into serious consideration the objections which I have noted above. I am writing to object to the proposal and express our deep concern about the impact on our business Consultation ES Volume 2 of this substantial proposed development in Powys, process Chapter 5 directly adjoining the Shropshire country boundary. I have received no letter inviting comments at Carreg- y-Big, my property where my family and I live and where Oswestry Equestrian Centre is based. This is most concerning when this is the closest business to ES Volume 2 Paragraph 1.138 the development (2,000 metres from the proposal and Individual views will have a full and unobstructed view of the turbine. It will also leave us exposed to other undesirable ES Volume 2 effects of the noise pollution and the subsequent Noise impact on the horses’ behaviour and therefore on Chapter 13 my business. The development is in an area much used by walkers, cyclist and riders. Several long- Public rights ES Volume 2 distance paths cross the area, some very close to the of way development and the impact on equestrian users will Chapters 4, be particularly marked. It is this unspoilt countryside 8 and 10 which is the attraction not only to local residents and people living in the nearby communities, but also for Tourism ES Volume 2 the visitors from the area from further afield, including Paragraph 17.70 overseas, and will irreparably damage our livelihood as it severely impacts in the business’ unique sale points (closeness to Offa’s Dyke, availability ES Volume 2 of equestrian trails and beauty of the unspoilt Economics Chapter 17 countryside). I look forward to receiving your response addressing the above points in particular survival of my business which has been put in an unsustainable position due to this proposal, damaging not only our family’s livelihood and future but also the right of many to enjoy our unspoilt countryside by the community, the country and overseas visitors.
72 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion I am writing to you to express my opposition to the above-referenced development. My objection is on at least three counts: Even though the proposed development concerns renewable energy, it would Community ES Volume 2 appear to be out of context in this situation and does benefits Paragraphs 1.20 not properly take account of the massive costs, and 17.131 given the relatively small and limited supposed ES Volume 2 Consultation benefits to the community. 2. The local community Chapter 5 consultation process is severely flawed. Even though process my abode is approximately 3km distance and is in a direct line of sight of the proposed development, the pre-application consultation document has only recently and indirectly been brought to my attention. It therefore cannot be stated, as it is within Chapter 5: Environmental Impact Assessment, paragraph 5.24, that “In advance of submission, pre application consultation was undertaken within the local community. Residents and businesses surrounding the proposed development have been consulted upon the plans of the Cefn-y- ES Volume 2 Ecology and Maes Renewable Energy Project.”3. Insufficient Chapter 12 ornithology research has been undertaken and reported upon concerning the possible detrimental effect on the wildlife community in this local environment. I am writing to you on behalf of the Oswestry Racecourse Management Association (ORMA) to express our opposition to the above referenced development. The Racecourse users would be Visual impact ES Volume 2 disturbed by the visual impact of the development, Paragraph 10.41 and if the export power lines and pylons were to ES Volume 2 Grid connection cross The Racecourse they would contravene the Paragraph 6.41 core strategy of the area. Furthermore the possible road widening to facilitate the construction phase ES Volume 2 would severely disrupt the area. Even though our Access (route) Paragraph 8.29 public leisure, conservation and heritage site is approximately 3km distance and is in a direct line of sight of the proposed development, the Consultation ES Volume 2 pre-application consultation document has only process Chapter 5 recently come to our attention; surprisingly, it would appear to have only been selectively targeted to a minority of households in the area and not to any of the many properties and activity establishments that the development would severely affect.
73 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion cont... In fact, there has been no real public consultation; as above - moreover, the website documents are very generic and volume 1 is missing, which is unfortunate as that is the one that most respondents would need to read. In addition, the matter of the export of power has been ‘brushed under the table’ even though the pylons would have a major impact on the local areas of natural beauty and special areas such as The Old Racecourse. We object to the proposal. 1) Not community Community ES Volume 2 project. 2)Disruptive to wildlife, and access. 3) benefit Paragraphs 1.20 Visually will impair the landscape. 4) Not just energy and 17.131 Ecology and park but pylons will be needed. 5) Detrimental to ornithology ES Volume 2 riders, walkers, cyclists & visitors to the area. Chapter 12 Landscape and visual ES Volume 2 Chapter 10 Grid connection ES Volume 2 Public rights Paragraph 6.41 of way ES Volume 2 Chapters 4, 8 and 10 I don’t want to this industrialisation of our Landscape ES Volume 2 beautiful Welsh landscape. Also the building Chapter 10 Construction and maintenance of this development would phase ES Volume 2 cause a major disruption to our community. Chapter 7 We are thoroughly OPPOSED to the proposal. 1) Community ES Volume 2 Misleading project title as no benefit to community benefit Paragraphs 1.20 only disruption. 2) Destruction of rural landscape and 17.131 Landscape and high value acidic and largely unimproved ES Volume 2 grassland favoured by Curlew and other species. Ecology and Chapter 10 3) Major disruption to local transport infrastructure. ornithology ES Volume 2 4) Powerline network not mentioned. Please Access (route) avoid submitting planning proposals. Significant Chapter 12 Grid connection local opposition in Powys, Shopshire. ES Volume 2 Paragraph 8.29 ES Volume 2 Paragraph 6.41
74 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion This small power station in the middle of an area of Landscape ES Volume 2 outstanding natural beauty will serve no purpose designations Paragraph 10.36 whatsoever in solving our nations sustainable energy Energy ES Volume 2 needs. It will only serve to make the energy company generation Paragraph 1.8 a lot of money in the next 30 years. The inclusion and Appendix 1 of the word ‘Community’ serves to show the rather Community naive position taken by the marketing team. How benefit ES Volume 2 many power stations of this size would Powys need Paragraph 1.20 to provide electricity for most of its residents. and 17.131 I strongly condem the proposal. The size of the Scale of proposal ES Volume 2 turbine would be visible from Shropshire - whose cc Chapter 6 Community would not permit this size. No benefit whatsoever benefit ES Volume 2 to the community - quite the reverse. Detrimental to Paragraph 1.20 visitor attractions being close the National Heritage Public rights and 17.131 trial “Offas Dyke’ and several bridal and foot paths of way in an unspoiled area of border hill and farmland. ES Volume 2 Chapters 4, 8 and 10 I am worried this will spoil a beautiful rural area. I Landscape ES Volume 2 am concerned about the changes to infrastructure Chapter 10 Access (route) roads etc and the countryside routes ES Volume 2 paragraph 8.29 Where is Volume 1? Consultation ES Volume 2 process Chapter 5 No thank you!! Change the access Access (route) ES Volume 2 route over Cefnymaes land? Paragraph 8.29 We object because this is an area of outstanding Landscape ES Volume 2 natural beauty. The excessive height will be designations Paragraph 10.36 visiable over a wide area. Will the turbine be Scale of ES Volume 2 removed when project is decommissioned development Chapter 6 or be an eyesore forever? How will energy be fed into the national grid? (Pylons?) De- ES Volume 2 commissioning Chapter 7 Grid connection ES Volume 2 Paragraph 6.41
75 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
Question or Comment Received Topic(s) Reference of discussion Public Response neither objecting or supporting the Proposal Whilst we approve of renewable energy sources, we Community ES Volume 2 do feel as the folk most likely to be inconvenienced by benefit Paragraph 1.20 this project we should in some way be compensated and 17.131 and kept informed of all proposals and developments. ‘Questions: (1) How is it proposed to export Grid connection ES Volume 2 the power generated from the site? Will this Paragraph 6.41 involve surface pylons? If so over what route? ES Volume 2 (2) On the miniature map published, what is the Consultation Chapter 5 intended significance of the 2.5km circle? process Comment: The web site at www.cefnymaes.co.uk is uninformative and refers to another site.’ ‘Thanks, Look forward to seeing more detail. Planning Policy ES Volume 2 Chapter 2 I’d like to know your thoughts on the proposed and Planning new LDP Powys CC are producing.’ Statement I am phoning up about the proposed renewable Consultation ES Volume 2 energy park near Rhydycroesau. I received a process Chapter 5 letter dated 20th January it mentions that further information can be found at www.cefnymaes.co.uk, this doesn’t seem to be an up and running website Visual impact ES Volume 2 Paragraph 10.41 at the moment. Can you phone me back on xxxx Access and let me know what the score is and also be able (construction ES Volume 2 to answer a few other questions I’ve got. I’d like to traffic) Paragraph 8.46 have information on site lines, development traffic, cost benefit analysis, when you are expecting the detailed documents and consultation to be issued. EIA ES Volume 2 I know there appears to be an expected deadline of Chapter 5 about 16 weeks to conclude the consultations etc. In order that I have a better understanding of the Consultation ES Volume 2 proposed development I would be grateful for process Chapter 5 a copy of your Non- Technical Summary which I believe must be a prerequisite document readily available for members of the public to view.
76 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
IMPACTS IDENTIFIED, BY TOPIC
Overall Analysis of Responses
PAC49 Comments from the postcards, emails, letters or phone messages received back from pre-application public consultation were analysed. The conclusion of opinion from respondents is detailed in Table PAC5.
Table PAC5 - Public Opinion
Public Opinion Of The Proposed Renewable Energy Park
Yes Don’t Know/ No Neutral 1 5 51
PAC50 As described in Chapter 5, ES Volume 2, of the 106 consultations issued to dwellings and businesses, 57 replies were received. This equates to a household response rate of 46%. 51 of the replies were raising concerns with the proposal. This equates to 40% of households notified. It can be assumed that other residents to those who received direct notification through the mailing could have responded to the consultation as notices were put around the site, and community and parish councils were notified of the proposal. PAC51 Analysis of the responses received from residents and businesses in the area surrounding the proposed development finds that concerns are raised across a number of topics, as shown at Plate PAC3. However, some issues are recurring in many of the objector responses, and these most common matters are discussed further from Paragraph PAC54.
77 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
Plate PAC3 - Topics raised by objectors during the pre-application public consultation PAC52 The pre-application consultation also resulted in one supporting comment and five responses classed as neutral, not stating an opinion in favour or against the proposal. These are not included in data demonstrated at Plate PAC3. PAC53 It should be noted that responses received during the pre-application consultation are based upon the draft Environmental Statement. Assessments have been updated as appropriate to include for additional impacts identified, or requests for further information received during the pre-application consultation period. The proposal seeks to address the queries raised during the pre-application consultation. Key Impacts Identified Landscape and Visual Impacts
PAC54 The proposed site is not covered by any landscape designations. The Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is within 10km of the proposed site, and has been considered accordingly within the Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment contained at Chapter 10, ES Volume 2. PAC55 Figures 10.1 - 10.9, and Visualisations 1-7 ES Volume 3, accompany the Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment. Viewpoints were selected, in discussion with Powys Council, to be representative of a range of receptors and landscape types. Combined with site visits, the provided viewpoints are considered to be appropriate for the assessment and proposed scale of development.
78 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
Traffic and Transport
PAC56 A route assessment has been undertaken to identify the most appropriate access to the proposed site. This is described within Chapter 8, ES Volume 2 and shown on Figures 8.1 and 8.5, ES Volume 3. PAC57 The rural nature of the site surroundings and transport network is acknowledged. Avoidance and mitigation measures are proposed to minimise impacts upon users of the surrounding highway, public rights of way and residents in proximity of the site for the construction phase. Measures are discussed in Chapters 8 and 18, ES Volume 2. Community Involvement and Benefit
PAC58 At the pre-application stage it is understandable that the public are questioning the potential benefits of the project to the community, as plans are being formulated and the developer intends to discuss the options with the community as the project progresses. PAC59 Paragraphs 1.20 - 1.21, ES Volume 2, state: ‘It is the intention of Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park Limited that those living in the vicinity of the Park receive benefit from the wind turbine, solar array and energy storage facility beyond contributing to the National need for renewables. The developer is currently exploring the potential for a community ownership scheme to share the economic benefits of the development. This would be offered post consent, which provides local residents with an opportunity to invest in the project but places the high-risk phase of development on the developer and not on residents. The type of investment could be organised through a group such as Community Energy Wales, or a debenture model such as Abundance Investment. REG Power Management has experience of funding wind projects through local investment, and has had discussions with both groups to discuss options for Cefn y Maes.’ PAC60 Further discussion can be found from Paragraph 17.131, ES Volume 2. The Proposal by way of its size, scale and location
PAC61 The scale of the proposed wind turbine and solar array have been designed to compliment each other, and the proposed energy storage facility. The size of all elements included within the proposal is discussed at Chapter 6, ES Volume 2. PAC62 The scale of the proposal has been an inherent consideration across the environmental assessments. Each chapter of the ES considers the scale of the proposal in a manner relevant to the discipline. The scale of the proposal on the wider environment is particularly considered in ES Volume 2, Chapter 8 (Traffic and Access) Chapter 9 (Hydrology and Hydrogeology), Chapter 10 (Landscape and Visual Impact), Chapter 11 (Cultural Heritage), Chapter 12 (Ecology and Ornithology), Chapter 13 (Noise), Chapter 14 (Shadow Flicker and Glint/ Glare), Chapter 15 (Telecoms and Utilities) and Chapter 16 (Aviation).
79 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
PAC63 The location of the proposed site was considered during the site design phase to balance environmental constraints and technical considerations with the needs of a renewable energy project. The design of the site was reviewed throughout, to incorporate findings of the Environmental Impact Assessments, as discussed in Chapter 3, ES Volume 2. Impacts upon Public Rights of Way Users
PAC64 As discussed in Chapter 4, from Paragraph 4.21, ES Volume 2, there are no public rights of way crossing the proposed development area. There are four public rights of way in the immediate surrounding of the site. No public rights of way will be directly impacted as a result of the proposed development. The majority of comments with respect to public rights of way were raised about the visual and amenity impacts of the proposed site’s operational phase. This is considered within Chapter 10, ES Volume 2. Grid Connection (specific elements of the proposal)
PAC65 It is understood that a number of grid upgrade/extension developments have occurred in the region which has heightened residents sensitivity to such infrastructure. There is no proposal for additional pylons and overhead wires to be added to the existing electricity transmission network in order to export electricity from the proposed site. It is anticipated that cabling will be run from the on-site substation, in an underground cable trench following the site access tracks or field boundaries where possible, to the grid connection point. The Local Distribution Network is the separate responsibility of the connecting utility, SPEN, and connection to the network will be subject to a separate planning application if necessary. This is discussed at Chapter 6, ES Volume 2.
CONCLUSIONS
PAC66 Over 100 properties within 3km of the proposed site were sent a consultation letter including a leaflet detailing the proposal and a pre-paid response postcard for comments about the development. In addition to the consultation mailing for local residents, REG Power Management with Engena, consulted individual Community Councils and Ward Members for the site and surrounding area, as well as specialist consultees appropriate for the proposal. PAC67 A dedicated project website was created to host draft planning application documentation for reference during the consultation period. The project website (www.cefnymaes.co.uk) will remain active during the project’s planning phase. PAC68 Responses received from specialist consultees, community councils, and residents have been analysed and reported in full within this Pre-Application Report, and summarised in Chapter 5 of the accompanying Environmental Statement. PAC69 Overall, 57 responses from residents and businesses were received; 1 of which is in support, 5 are neutral and 51 are objections. Specialist consultees provided useful guidance and no objections were received.
80 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
REFERENCES
Act of Parliament, 2012, Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure0 (Wales) Order: Statutory Instrument 2010 no. 801 (W110), HMSO, UK. Act of Parliament, 2016, Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (Wales) (Amendment) Order 2016, SI 2016 No. 59 (W.29), HMSO, UK.
81 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
APPENDIX 1 - SITE NOTICE COPY AND ON-SITE RECORD
SCHEDULE 1 Article 4(4) Pre-application notices
SCHEDULE 1B Articles 2C & 2D PUBLICITY AND CONSULTATION BEFORE APPLYING FOR PLANNING PERMISSION Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (Wales) Order 2012
PUBLICITY AND CONSULTATION BEFORE APPLYING FOR PLANNING PERMISSION NOTICE UNDER ARTICLES 2C AND 2D
(to be served on owners and/or occupiers of adjoining land and community consultees; and displayed by site notice on or near the location of the proposed development)
Purpose of this notice: this notice provides the opportunity to comment directly to the developer on a proposed development prior to the submission of a planning application to the local planning authority (“LPA”). Any subsequent planning application will be publicised by the relevant LPA; any comments provided in response to this notice will not prejudice your ability to make representations to the LPA on any related planning application. You should note that any comments submitted may be placed on the public file.
Proposed development at (a) NGR: 322840, 332497, Cefn y Maes, near Rhydycroesau.
I give notice that (b) Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park Limited
is intending to apply for planning permission to (c): install a renewable energy park comprising a single wind turbine (maximum height to tip of 101m), a solar array (contained within approximately 1.2ha), an energy storage facility and ancillary infrastructure.
You may inspect copies of: - the proposed application;
- the plans; and
- other supporting documents
online at (d) www.cefnymaes.co.uk from 23/01/17 and computer facilities are available to view this information online at (e) Llanfyllin Library, Youth and Community Centre, Llanfyllin, Powys, SY22 5BB between the hours of (f) 9.30am - 12.30pm, 1.30pm - 5.30pm Tuesday and Thursday, 1.30pm - 7pm Friday and 9.30am - 12pm Saturday (or) Oswestry Library, Arthur Street, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 1JN between the hours of 9.30am - 5.00pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9.30am - 6.00pm Wednesday, and 9.30am - 4.00pm Saturday. (or) You may view this information at (g) n/a between the hours of (h) n/a. Anyone who wishes to make representations about this proposed development must write to the applicant/ agent at (i) [email protected] or (j) Cefn Y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park, C/o Engena Limited, The Old Stables, Bosmere Hall, Kettle Lane, Creeting St Mary, IP6 8LL. by (k) 20th February 2017
Signed: ………………………………………………
Date: 18th January 2017
82 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
Notice at site entrance
Notice at Public Right of Way adjacent to site’s southern boundary
83 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
Notice at Rhydycroesau Village Hall Noticeboard
84 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
APPENDIX 2 - COPY OF SCHEDULE 1B NOTICE
SCHEDULE 1 Article 4(4) Pre-application notices
SCHEDULE 1B Articles 2C & 2D PUBLICITY AND CONSULTATION BEFORE APPLYING FOR PLANNING PERMISSION Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (Wales) Order 2012
PUBLICITY AND CONSULTATION BEFORE APPLYING FOR PLANNING PERMISSION NOTICE UNDER ARTICLES 2C AND 2D
(to be served on owners and/or occupiers of adjoining land and community consultees; and displayed by site notice on or near the location of the proposed development)
Purpose of this notice: this notice provides the opportunity to comment directly to the developer on a proposed development prior to the submission of a planning application to the local planning authority (“LPA”). Any subsequent planning application will be publicised by the relevant LPA; any comments provided in response to this notice will not prejudice your ability to make representations to the LPA on any related planning application. You should note that any comments submitted may be placed on the public file.
Proposed development at (a) NGR: 322840, 332497, Cefn y Maes, near Rhydycroesau.
I give notice that (b) Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park Limited
is intending to apply for planning permission to (c): install a renewable energy park comprising a single wind turbine (maximum height to tip of 101m), a solar array (contained within approximately 1.2ha), an energy storage facility and ancillary infrastructure.
You may inspect copies of: - the proposed application;
- the plans; and
- other supporting documents
online at (d) www.cefnymaes.co.uk from 23/01/17 and computer facilities are available to view this information online at (e) Llanfyllin Library, Youth and Community Centre, Llanfyllin, Powys, SY22 5BB between the hours of (f) 9.30am - 12.30pm, 1.30pm - 5.30pm Tuesday and Thursday, 1.30pm - 7pm Friday and 9.30am - 12pm Saturday (or) Oswestry Library, Arthur Street, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 1JN between the hours of 9.30am - 5.00pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9.30am - 6.00pm Wednesday, and 9.30am - 4.00pm Saturday. (or) You may view this information at (g) n/a between the hours of (h) n/a. Anyone who wishes to make representations about this proposed development must write to the applicant/ agent at (i) [email protected] or (j) Cefn Y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park, C/o Engena Limited, The Old Stables, Bosmere Hall, Kettle Lane, Creeting St Mary, IP6 8LL. by (k) 20th February 2017
Signed: ………………………………………………
Date: 20th January 2017
85 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
ATODLEN 1 Erthygl 4(4) Hysbysiadau cyn-ymgeisio
ATODLEN 1B Erthyglau 2C a 2D CYHOEDDUSRWYDD AC YMGYNGHORI CYN GWNEUD CAIS AM GANIATÂD CYNLLUNIO Gorchymyn Cynllunio Gwlad a Thref (Gweithdrefn Rheoli Datblygu) (Cymru) 2012
CYHOEDDUSRWYDD AC YMGYNGHORI CYN GWNEUD CAIS AM GANIATÂD CYNLLUNIO HYSBYSIAD O DAN ERTHYGLAU 2C A 2D
(i’w gyflwyno i berchnogion a/neu feddianwyr tir cyffiniol ac ymgyngoreion cymunedol; ac i’w arddangos drwy hysbysiad safle ar neu gerllaw lleoliad y datblygiad arfaethedig)
Diben yr hysbysiad hwn: mae’r hysbysiad hwn yn rhoi cyfle i wneud sylwadau yn uniongyrchol i’r datblygwr ynglŷn â datblygiad arfaethedig cyn cyflwyno cais am ganiatâd cynllunio i’r awdurdod cynllunio lleol (“ACLl”). Bydd unrhyw gais cynllunio dilynol yn cael ei hysbysebu gan yr ACLl perthnasol; ni fydd unrhyw sylwadau a ddarperir gennych wrth ymateb i’r hysbysiad hwn yn lleihau dim ar eich gallu i gyflwyno sylwadau i’r ACLl ar unrhyw gais cynllunio cysylltiedig. Dylech nodi y gellir gosod unrhyw sylwadau a gyflwynir gennych yn y ffeil gyhoeddus.
Datblygiad Arfaethedig yn (a) NGR: 322840, 332497, Cefn y Maes, gerllaw Rhydycroesau.
Rwyf yn hysbysu bod (b) Parc Ynni Adnewyddadwy Cymunedol Cefn y Maes Cyf.
yn bwriadu gwneud cais am ganiatâd cynllunio i (c): osod parc ynni adnewyddadwy yn cynnwys tyrbin gwynt sengl (uchafswm uchder i’r blaen o 101m), aráe paneli solar (wedi’i chynnwys o fewn tua 1.2 hectar), cyfleuster storio ynni a seilwaith ategol.
Gellwch archwilio copïau o’r canlynol: - y cais arfaethedig;
- y planiau; a
- dogfennau ategol eraill
ar-lein yn (d) www.cefnymaes.co.uk o 23/01/17 ac mae cyfleusterau cyfrifiadur ar gael i archwilio’r wybodaeth hon ar lein yn (e) Llyfrgell Llanfyllin, Canolfan Ieuenctid a Chymunedol, Llanfyllin, Powys, SY22 5BB. rhwng yr oriau (f)9.30am - 12.30pm, 1.30pm - 5.30pm dydd Mawrth a dydd Iau, 1.30pm - 7pm dydd Gwener a 9.30am - 12pm dydd Sadwrn (neu) Llyfrgell Croesoswallt, Arthur Street, Croesoswallt, Sir Amwythig, SY11 1JN rhwng 9.30am - 5.00pm Dydd Llun, dydd Mawrth, dydd Iau a dydd Gwener, 9.30am - 6.00pm dydd Mercher, a 9.30am - 4.00pm dydd Sadwrn. Gellwch weld yr wybodaeth hon yn (g) amherthnasol rhwng yr oriau (h) amherthnasol
Mae’n rhaid i unrhyw un sy’n dymuno gwneud sylwadau ynglŷn â’r datblygiad arfaethedig hwn ysgrifennu at yr ymgeisydd/yr asiant yn (i) [email protected] neu (j) Parc Ynni Adnewyddadwy Cymunedol Cefn y Maes Cyf., trwy law Engena Limited, The Old Stables, Bosmere Hall, Kettle Lane, Creeting St Mary, IP6 8LL. erbyn (k) 20fed Chwefror 2017
Llofnod: ………………………………………………
Dyddiad: 20fed Ionawr 2017
86 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
APPENDIX 3 - COPY OF SCHEDULE 1C NOTICE
SCHEDULE 1C Article 2D CONSULTATION BEFORE APPLYING FOR PLANNING PERMISSION Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (Wales) Order 2012
CONSULTATION BEFORE APPLYING FOR PLANNING PERMISSION NOTICE UNDER ARTICLE 2D (to be served on specialist consultees, as defined by article 2(1) of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (Wales) Order 2012 Purpose of this notice : this notice comprises a formal request for a pre-application consultation response under article 2D of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (Wales) Order 2012. Proposed development at (a) NGR: 322840, 332497, Cefn y Maes, near Rhydycroesau. I give notice that (b) Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park Limited is intending to apply for planning permission to (c): install a renewable energy park comprising a single wind turbine (maximum height to tip of 101m), a solar array (contained within approximately 1.2ha), an energy storage facility and ancillary infrastructure. A copy of the proposed application; plans; and other supporting documents are attached/can be viewed online at (d) www.cefnymaes.co.uk from 23/01/17.
In accordance with the requirements of article 2E of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (Wales) Order 2012, a consultation response must be sent to (e) [email protected] or Engena, The Old Stables, Bosmere Hall, Kettle Lane, Creeting St. Mary, Ipswich, IP6 8LL by (f) 20th February 2017.
Signed: ………………………………………………
Date: 20th January 2017
41
87 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
ATODLEN 1C Erthygl 2D YMGYNGHORI CYN GWNEUD CAIS AM GANIATÂD CYNLLUNIO Gorchymyn Cynllunio Gwlad a Thref (Gweithdrefn Rheoli Datblygu) (Cymru) 2012
YMGYNGHORI CYN GWNEUD CAIS AM GANIATÂD CYNLLUNIO HYSBYSIAD O DAN ERTHYGL 2D (i’w gyflwyno i ymgyngoreion arbenigol, fel y’u diffinnir gan erthygl 2(1) o Orchymyn Cynllunio Gwlad a Thref (Gweithdrefn Rheoli Datblygu) (Cymru) 2012 Diben yr hysbysiad hwn: mae’r hysbysiad hwn yn ddeisyfiad ffurfiol am ymateb i ymgynghoriad cyn- ymgeisio o dan erthygl 2D o Orchymyn Cynllunio Gwlad a Thref (Gweithdrefn Rheoli Datblygu) (Cymru) 2012.
Datblygiad arfaethedig yn (a) NGR: 322840, 332497, Cefn y Maes, gerllaw Rhydycroesau.
Rwyf yn hysbysu bod (b) Parc Ynni Adnewyddadwy Cymunedol Cefn y Maes Cyf.
yn bwriadu gwneud cais am ganiatâd cynllunio i (c): osod parc ynni adnewyddadwy yn cynnwys tyrbin gwynt sengl (uchafswm uchder i’r blaen o 101m), aráe paneli solar (wedi’i chynnwys o fewn tua 1.2 hectar), cyfleuster storio ynni a seilwaith ategol.
Mae copi o’r cais arfaethedig; planiau; a dogfennau ategol eraill wedi eu hatodi/ar gael i’w harchwilio ar lein yn (d) www.cefnymaes.co.uk o 23/01/17.
Yn unol â gofynion erthygl 2E o Orchymyn Cynllunio Gwlad a Thref (Gweithdrefn Rheoli Datblygu) (Cymru) 2012, rhaid anfon ymateb i’r ymgynghoriad at (e) [email protected] neu Engena, The Old Stables, Bosmere Hall, Kettle Lane, Creeting St. Mary, Ipswich, IP6 8LL erbyn (f) 20fed Chwefror 2017. Llofnod: ………………………………………………
Dyddiad: 20fed Ionawr 2017
88 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
APPENDIX 4 - DISTRIBUTED CONSULTATION DOCUMENTS
Consultation Letter
CEFN Y MAES COMMUNITY RENEWABLE ENERGY PARK
The Owner and/or Occupier, Near Cefn y Maes, Powys. 23rd January 2017
Proposed Renewable Energy Park at Cefn y Maes, near Rhydycroesau
Dear Sir/Madam,
We are proposing a Renewable Energy Park consisting of a single wind turbine, solar panels and energy storage facility on land 680m north-east of Pen-y-Gwely Reservoir and 2.2km north-west of Rhydycroesau. We would like to ensure local residents are aware of the project before a planning application is submitted to Powys County Council in the coming months.
REG Power Management Limited is working in collaboration with Engena Limited on this project. Our joint experience in the development, construction and operation of renewable projects ensures that thorough assessments are undertaken whilst planning the project and the renewable electricity output of the site during operation is maximised.
The scheme has been designed using renewable energy technologies which complement each other in terms of generation. We are particularly enthusiastic about the addition of an energy storage unit which will allow the output to be used when it’s needed most.
Please refer to the official notice enclosed, as well as the leaflet outlining the proposal. More information can be found at www.cefnymaes.co.uk.
If you have any questions or comments about the proposal I would be very happy to answer them. You can provide these via the website, on the enclosed postcard, or via email at [email protected] or phone 02921 286525.
For your comments to be included within the planning application documentation, please reply by 20th February 2017.
If you wish to be kept up to date on progress of the planning application, please indicate on the postcard, or let me know via email or phone.
Yours faithfully,
Claire Hewett Project Manager
Engena Limited, The Old Stables, Bosmere Hall, Kettle Lane, Creeting St Mary, IP22 4ED.
89 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
PARC YNNI ADNEWYDDADWY CYMUNED CEFN Y MAES
Perchennog / Meddiannydd Ger Cefn y Maes Powys.
23 Ionawr 2017
Parc Ynni Adnewyddadwy Arfaethedig yng Nghefn y Maes, ger Rhydycroesau
Annwyl Syr/Madam,
Rydym yn cynnig Parc Ynni sy’n cynnwys tyrbin gwynt sengl, paneli solar a chyfleuster storio ynni ar dir sydd 680m i’r gogledd-ddwyrain o Gronfa Ddŵr Pen-y-Gwely a 2.2km i’r gogledd-orllewin o Rydycroesau. Hoffem sicrhau bod preswylwyr lleol yn ymwybodol o’r prosiect cyn i ni gyflwyno cais cynllunio i Gyngor Sir Powys yn y misoedd i ddod.
Mae REG Power Management Limited yn gweithio ar y cyd ag Engena Limited ar y prosiect hwn. Sicrha ein profiad ar y cyd o ddatblygu, adeiladu a gweithredu prosiectau adnewyddadwy bod asesiadau trwyadl yn cael eu gwneud yn ystod cynllunio’r prosiect ac y gwneir y mwyaf o gynhyrchiant trydan adnewyddadwy’r safle.
Mae’r cynllun wedi’i gynllunio gan ddefnyddio technolegau ynni adnewyddadwy sy’n gweddu â’i gilydd yn dda o ran cynhyrchiant. Rydym yn arbennig o frwdfrydig ynghylch ychwanegu uned storio ynni a fydd yn caniatáu i’r cynhyrchiant gael ei ddefnyddio pan fydd ei angen fwyaf.
Cyfeiriwch at yr hysbysiad swyddogol amgaeedig, yn ogystal â’r daflen sy’n amlinellu’r cynnig. Mae mwy o wybodaeth ar gael o www.cefnymaes.co.uk.
Os oes gennych unrhyw gwestiynau neu sylwadau am y cynnig buaswn yn fodlon iawn eu hateb. Gallwch eu cyflwyno trwy’r wefan, ar y cerdyn post amgaeedig, trwy e-bostio [email protected] neu ffonio 02921 286525.
Er mwyn sicrhau bod eich sylwadau yn cael eu cynnwys yn nogfennau’r cais cynllunio, gwnewch yn siŵr eich bod yn ymateb erbyn 20fed Chwefror 2017.
Os dymunwch gael y diweddaraf ar gynnydd y cais cynllunio, nodwch hynny ar y cerdyn post, neu rhowch wybod i mi drwy e-bost neu dros y ffôn.
Yr eiddoch yn gywir,
Claire Hewett Rheolwr Prosiect
Engena Limited, The Old Stables, Bosmere Hall, Kettle Lane, Creeting St Mary, IP22 4ED.
90 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
Consultation Emails Sent
From: Claire Hewett [email protected] Subject: Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park - Consultation Date: 24 January 2017 at 12:26 To: Claire Hewett [email protected] Bcc: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], Kate Bowen [email protected], [email protected] , [email protected], Consultations (NE) [email protected], DIO-Safeguarding-Wind [email protected]
Dear Sirs/ Madams,
Please find attached information relating to a pre-application consultation open for a proposed renewable energy park at Cefn y Maes, north west of Rhydycroesau.
The proposal is for a renewable energy park consisting of a single wind turbine, a ground mounted solar array and an energy storage device (battery). The proposal will be accompanied by an Environmental Statement, a draft of which is available to view at www.cefnymaes.co.uk
In order to collect the views of the local community, and to incorporate their comments into the forthcoming application, we have written to 106 homes within 3km of the site, enclosing the attached letter, information leaflet and Freepost reply card. We are pleased that we have started to receive comments back.
If you would like further information or have any comments, please do get in touch.
Kind regards,
Claire.
From: Claire Hewett [email protected] Subject: Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park - consultation Date: 24 January 2017 at 16:51 To: [email protected]
Dear Sirs/ Madams,
Please find attached information relating to a pre-application consultation open for a proposed renewable energy park at Cefn y Maes, north west of Rhydycroesau.
The proposal is for a renewable energy park consisting of a single wind turbine, a ground mounted solar array and an energy storage device (battery). The proposal will be accompanied by an Environmental Statement, a draft of which is available to view at www.cefnymaes.co.uk
In order to collect the views of the local community, and to incorporate their comments into the forthcoming application, we have written to 106 homes within 3km of the site, enclosing the attached letter, information leaflet and Freepost reply card. We are pleased that we have started to receive comments back.
If you would like further information or have any comments, please do get in touch.
Kind regards,
Claire.
CyM_Community Consultation Leaflet.pdf
91 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
From: Claire Hewett [email protected] Subject: Fwd: Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park - Consultation Date: 1 February 2017 at 14:34 To: [email protected], [email protected]
Dear Mr Litherland and Mr Iles,
Please find attached information relating to a pre-application consultation open for a proposed renewable energy park at Cefn y Maes, north west of Rhydycroesau.
The proposal is for a renewable energy park consisting of a single wind turbine, a ground mounted solar array and an energy storage device (battery). The proposal will be accompanied by an Environmental Statement, a draft of which is available to view at www.cefnymaes.co.uk
In order to collect the views of the local community, and to incorporate their comments into the forthcoming application, we have written to 106 homes within 3km of the site, enclosing the attached letter, information leaflet and a Freepost reply card. We are pleased that we have started to receive comments back. In addition we are consulting with Community Council, Councillors and Specialist Consultees and the local planning authority in line with Article 1 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (Wales) (Amendment) Order 2016.
If you would like further information or have any comments, please do get in touch.
Kind regards,
Claire.
From: Claire Hewett [email protected] Subject: Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park - Consultation CyMDate: Statutory24 January Site 2017 at 11:23 ToNotice.pdf: Claire Hewett [email protected] Bcc: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Dear Sirs/ Madams,
Please find attached information relating to a pre-application consultation open for a proposed renewable energy park at Cefn y Maes, north west of Rhydycroesau.
The proposal is for a renewable energy park consisting of a single wind turbine, a ground mounted solar array and an energy storage device (battery). The proposal will be accompanied by an Environmental Statement, a draft of which is available to view at www.cefnymaes.co.uk
In order to collect the views of the local community, and to incorporate their comments into the forthcoming application, we have written to 106 homes within 3km of the site, enclosing the attached letter, information leaflet and Freepost reply card. We are pleased that we have started to receive comments back.
If you would like further information or have any comments, please do get in touch.
Kind regards,
Claire.
CyM Community Site Notice.pdf
CyM_Community Consultation Leaflet.pdf
92 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
Consultation Leaflet
CEFN Y MAES COMMUNITY RENEWABLE ENERGY PARK
Cefn y Maes Renewable Energy Park Ltd. is proposing the combined installation of a single wind turbine, solar array and energy storage facility on land 680m north-east of Pen-y-gwely Reservoir and 2.2km north-west of Rhydycroesau. This innovative renewable energy hybrid scheme is expected to generate approximately 2,530,000 units of electricity every year1 which is equivalent to the average electricity consumption of 554 Powys homes2. The Proposal
North
Wind Turbine Hardstanding Site Location Temporary Construction Compound Energy Storage Unit and Electrical Equipment Cabin
Temporary Access Track
Post and Wire Fence: area within Solar panels approximately 1.2ha North 2.5km Not to Scale. © Crown copyright, All rights reserved. 2017, Licence number 0100031673 Key Elements of the Proposal: • a single wind turbine (maximum height of 101m); • an array of approximately 2,590 solar panels which are mounted on frames and are no higher than 2.35m from the ground; • 500kW energy storage equipment contained in two small units; • 30 year project lifetime, after which the project would be decommissioned; • a small cabin to contain the electrical equipment (transformer, switchgear and metering); • a hardstanding formed of crushed stone (for use by the crane during erection); and • a temporary access track and construction compound, laid for the construction period only.
The Benefits: • A scheme of complimentary technologies to supply electricity when it is needed most; • Renewable energy generation equivalent to the average electricity consumption of approximately 554 Powys homes2; • Offset of emissions through renewable energy generation; • Opportunity for local people to invest in a renewable energy project; • Materials and services will be sourced, where practical, from suitably qualified local and regional contractors; and • Business rates paid to Powys County Council throughout the 30 year operating period.
93 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
CEFN Y MAES COMMUNITY RENEWABLE ENERGY PARK
The Development Process Initial assessment of the site showed that it has potential for the combined installation of a wind turbine, solar panels and energy storage facility. The detailed studies are nearly complete, and will be submitted with a planning application to Powys County Council in early 2017. All of these studies will be publicly available. The development process is shown below.
Site Feasibility, Design and Layout
Project Screening and Scoping The proposal is screened with the Local Planning Authority to determine the level of environmental assessment required and subsequently the scope of work.
Environmental Studies Studies into traffic, ecology, noise, landscape, cultural heritage, flood risk, shadow flicker, glint/glare, telecoms and aviation are undertaken to be presented We are here in the planning application.
Pre-application Consultation To inform the neighbours of the proposals and the upcoming planning Public application. consultation
Planning Application Full details of the proposal and the results of the assessments are presented within the application. A decision on the outcome of the project should be made in approximately 16 weeks from submission for a project of this type. The Local Planning Authority will consult locally during this period.
The Applicant REG Power Management, working in collaboration with Engena Limited, is proposing the development through Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park Ltd. REG power Management and Engena are independent UK based companies experienced in the development, construction and operation of renewable energy projects.
YOUR QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS
If you have any comments or questions regarding the proposal then please return the enclosed pre-paid comments postcard, or contact us on the below details. Powys Council will run a further statutory consultation once the application is submitted.
Email: [email protected] Phone: 02921 286525 www.cefnymaes.co.uk
*1. NOABL average wind speed of 7.2m/s with EWT DW 52 turbine, Jinko Eagle 60 panels and RenSMART PVGIS Solar Map. 1 unit = 1kWh *2. Powys average domestic electricity consumption of 4,564 kWh/household (Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, 2016). All figures reported to 3 significant figures unless stated otherwise. Produced by Engena Limited for Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park Ltd.
94 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
PARC YNNI ADNEWYDDADWY CYMUNEDOL CEFN Y MAES
Mae Parc Ynni Adnewyddadwy Cefn y Maes Cyf yn cynnig gosodiad cyfunol o un tyrbin gwyn, arae solar a chyfleuster storio ynni ar dir 680m i’r gogledd-ddwyrain o Gronfa Ddŵr Pen-y-gwely a 2.2km i’r gogledd-orllewin o Rydycroesau. Disgwylir i’r cynllun hybrid ynni adnewyddadwy arloesol hwn gynhyrchu oddeutu 2,530,000 uned o drydan bob blwyddyn1. Mae hyn yn cyfateb i gyfartaledd defnydd trydan o 554 o gartrefi Powys2. Y Cynnig
gogledd
Tyrbin Gwynt Llawr caled Lleoliad Safle Cwrt Adeiladu Dros Dro Uned Storio Ynni a Chabinet Offer Trydanol
Trac Mynediad Dros Dro
Ffens Postyn a Weiren: Paneli Solar ardal o fewn 1.2ha gogledd
2.5km Dim i Raddfa. © Hawlfraint y Goron, cedwir pob hawl. 2017, Rhif trwydded 0100031673 Elfennau Allweddol y Cynnig: • tyrbin gwynt sengl (uchafswm uchder o 101m); • arae o oddeutu 2,590 o baneli solar sydd wedi’u gosod ar fframiau a dim uwch na 2.35m o’r ddaear; • 500kW o offer storio ynni wedi’u cynnwys mewn dwy uned fach; • oes bywyd y prosiect fydd 30 mlynedd, ar ôl hynny bydd y prosiect yn cael ei ddad-gomisiynu; • caban bach i gynnwys yr offer trydanol (newidydd, offer switsio a mesuryddion); • llawr caled wedi’i wneud o gerrig mâl (i’w ddefnyddio gan graen yn ystod codiad); a • thrac mynediad dros dro a chwrt adeiladu, wedi’u gosod ar gyfer y cyfnod adeiladu’n unig.
Y Manteision: • Cynllun o dechnolegau ategol i gyflenwi trydan pan fydd ei angen fwyaf; • Creu ynni adnewyddadwy a oedd yn cyfateb i gyfartaledd defnydd trydan oddeutu 554 o gartrefi Powys2; • Gwrthbwyso allyriadau drwy gynhyrchu ynni adnewyddadwy; • Cyfle i bobl leol fuddsoddi mewn prosiect ynni adnewyddadwy; • Daw deunyddiau a gwasanaeth gan gontractwyr lleol a rhanbarthol yn meddu cymwysterau addas; a • Thelir cyfraddau busnes i Gyngor Sir Powys drwy gydol y cyfnod gweithredu o 30 mlynedd.
95 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
PARC YNNI ADNEWYDDADWY CYMUNEDOL CEFN Y MAES
Y Broses Ddatblygu Dangosodd asesiad cychwynnol o’r safle ei fod â’r potensial ar gyfer gosodiad cyfunol o dyrbin gwynt, paneli solar a chyfleuster storio ynni. Mae’r astudiaethau manwl bron yn gyflawn a chânt eu cyflwyno gyda chais cynllunio i Gyngor Sir Powys ar ddechrau 2017. Bydd yr holl astudiaethau hyn ar gael yn gyhoeddus. Dangosir y broses ddatblygu isod.
Dichonoldeb, Dyluniad a Chynllun Safle
Gwirio a Chwmpasu Prosiect Gwirir y cynnig gyda’r Awdurdod Cynllunio Lleol i benderfynu ar y lefel o asesiad amgylcheddol gofynnol a chwmpas y gwaith o ganlyniad.
Astudiaethau Amgylcheddol Ymgymerir astudiaethau ar draffig, ecoleg, sŵn, tirwedd, treftadaeth ddiwylliannol, perygl llifogydd, cysgodion symudol, llewyrch/llewych, telathrebu a Rydym yma hedfan i’w cyflwyno yn y cais cynllunio.
Ymgynghoriad Cyn Ymgeisio Hysbysu’r cymdogion am y cynigion a’r cais cynllunio sydd ar y gweill. Ymgyngho- riad Cy- hoeddus Cais Cynllunio Cyflwynir manylion llawn y cynnig a chanlyniadau’r asesiadau o fewn y cais. Dylid gwneud penderfyniad ar ganlyniad y prosiect oddeutu 16 wythnos wedi cyflwyno ar gyfer prosiect o’r math hwn. Bydd yr Awdurdod Cynllunio Lleol yn ymgynghori’n lleol yn ystod y cyfnod hwn.
Yr Ymgeisydd Mae REG Power Management, gan weithio ar y cyd ag Engena Limited, yn cynnig y datblygiad drwy Barc Ynni Adnewyddadwy Cymunedol Cefn y Maes Cyf. Mae REG Power Management ac Engena yn gwmnïau annibynnol sydd wedi’u lleoli yn y DU ac sydd â phrofiad mewn datblygu, adeiladu a gweithredu prosiectau ynni adnewyddadwy.
EICH CWESTIYNAU NEU SYLWADAU
Os oes gennych unrhyw sylwadau neu gwestiynau ynghylch y cynnig yna dychwelwch y cerdyn post amgaeedig sydd wedi ei dalu amdano’n barod, neu cysylltwch â ni drwy’r manylion isod. Bydd Cyngor Powys yn rhedeg ymgynghoriad statudol pellach unwaith y cyflwynir y cais. E-bost: [email protected] Ffôn: 02921 286525 www.cefnymaes.co.uk
*1. Cyflymder gwynt cyfartalog NOABL o 7.2m/s gyda thyrbin EWT DW 52, Jinko Eagle 60 baneli a Map Solar RenSMART PVGIS. 1 uned = 1kWh *2. Defnydd trydan domestig cyfartalog Powys o 4,564 kWh/cartref (Adran Fusnes, Ynni a Strategaeth Ddiwydiannol, 2016). Holl ffigurau wedi’u hadrodd at 3 ffigur arwyddocaol oni nodir yn wahanol. Cynhyrchwyd gan Engen Limited ar gyfer Parc Ynni Adnewyddadwy Cefn y Maes Cyf.
96 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
Consultation Freepost Return Postcard
Your Comments Your Details
Name:
Address:
Phone/email:
Project Code (office use only)
Freepost Plus RTJT-BSCR-JTSX Engena Ltd Kettle Lane Creeting St Mary IPSWICH IP6 8LL
TATDDDAFTTTATADTDTFFDTDDDTDATDTFADTA
97 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
Print of Project Website (www.cefnymaes.co.uk)
98 Cefn y Maes Community Renewable Energy Park
99 PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION REPORT
100