Overview Report ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// November 2014

Brechfa Forest Connection Project Overview Report ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// November 2014

1 Overview Report

Contents

1. Introduction ...... 4

2. The project ...... 6

3. Technology options ...... 8

4. The environment ...... 10

5. Consultation so far ...... 12

6. Statutory consultation ...... 13

7. The proposed scheme ...... 15 Section A ...... 16 Section B ...... 26 Section C ...... 30

8. Have your say ...... 42

9. Events and information ...... 43

10. Documents ...... 44

11. Next steps ...... 46

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1. Introduction

This report has been written to provide an Brechfa Forest was identified by the Welsh Government in 2005 as one of seven areas of Wales overview of the Brechfa Forest Connection with the potential for large wind power generation. Project and to explain how you can access Brechfa Forest was identified as Strategic Search Area G in the Welsh Government’s Technical Advice further information about the consultation. The Note (TAN) 8: Planning for Renewable Energy (2005). report provides the details of the consultation events taking place and how you can tell us Western Power Distribution is the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) for South Wales and what you think about the project. holder of an electricity distribution licence. As such, we are legally obliged to offer a connection to any wind farm developers that request one from TAN 8 Electricity consumption has been steadily rising Strategic Search Area G. WPD is solely an electricity over the last 20 years and the UK is facing a huge distribution company and does not hold an interest in challenge to ensure we have enough energy to meet the wind farm or sell or buy the generated electricity. our current and future needs while at the same time tackling climate change. In 2011, WPD was asked by wind farm developers, RWE Innogy UK Ltd (RWE) and Renewable Energy The Government believes that wind generated Systems Ltd (RES), to provide a connection from three electricity will help meet the country’s increasing proposed wind farms in the Brechfa Forest area of demand for energy and at the same time help the UK Carmarthenshire to the electricity network. This new meet its renewable energy targets. connection is the Brechfa Forest Connection Project.

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2. The project

WPD is required to connect a new wind farm in In October 2014, the developer of Brechfa Forest East The overhead line part of the connection would be Wind Farm, RWE, decided to remove the connection made using a combination of single and twin wood pole The proposed overhead line runs from the existing the Brechfa Forest area of Carmarthenshire to that wind farm from this project. If and when that structures, as this would help to reduce any potential line near Llandyfaelog in a north-east direction, to the electricity distribution network. The development comes forward it will be consulted on visual impact on the countryside and also minimise passing between Idole and Banc y Capel. It then separately and will require a separate development the wider environmental impact of the connection. As passes to the east of Cwmffrwd and then runs north most efficient, coordinated and economic consent order. The connection for Brechfa Forest a general rule, twin wood pole structures would be towards the Towy Valley. The connection then goes way of doing this is a single circuit, three East Wind Farm will not therefore be consulted upon required where the route of the line changes direction underground just south of the B4300 and crosses any further as part of this proposed development. and single wood poles would be used for the majority under the River Towy, continuing underground past phase 132,000 volt (132kV) connection. of the rest of the route. The typical height of the wood Carmarthen and Abergwili. Following each of the requests to withdraw by RES poles would be 15 metres. The maximum height of the The new wind farm, Brechfa Forest West Wind Farm, and RWE we reassessed the strategic options for wood poles would be 19.5 metres, although they would The connection then returns to overhead line about will be built by RWE and is centred on the Afon Pib the connection of Brechfa Forest West Wind Farm. be lower than this along much of the route. 1km south of Peniel and roughly follows the A485 valley, east of Alltwalis. Classified as a nationally This review concluded that the conductor (wire) size passing Peniel, Rhydargaeau and Pontarsais. significant infrastructure project (NSIP), it received could be reduced from 300mm to 200mm and that The connection point near Llandyfaelog was The proposed route turns east before arriving at consent from the Secretary of State for Energy and it would not need to be supported entirely on twin identified as part of a detailed review of the technical Alltwalis and then runs east into the Brechfa Forest Climate Change in March 2013. wood poles, but could use predominantly single constraints carried out in 2012. The existing overhead and on to the wind farm substation. poles with occasional twin poles. This is the minimum line runs from near Llandyfaelog to Swansea North The 132kV connection was originally required to construction standard and specification that WPD Substation, via the New Lodge Substation at Burry Between Friday, 28 November 2014 and Friday, 16 connect three proposed wind farms to the electricity builds for 132kV overhead lines. Port. By connecting to this point near Llandyfaelog, January 2015 we will undertake statutory consultation network, but in May 2014 RES withdrew its connection our proposed scheme would be significantly shorter of the detailed route, also referred to as the “proposed request for Bryn Llywelyn Wind Farm after its appeal The new 28.6km long 132kV line would than the originally identified connection directly into development”. More information about this seven-week against planning permission refusal was dismissed. consist of 25.2km of overhead line and 3.4km Swansea North Substation. statutory consultation can be found in our Statement of of underground cable. Community Consultation, which we published in mid- November 2014.

This is the third round of consultation WPD has carried out and follows a round of consultation events in summer 2013 with elected representatives and community user groups and public consultation events in early 2014.

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3. Technology options

As a distribution network operator WPD The typical span or distance between the wood poles Where the sections of cable are joined, an inspection This figure is based on a detailed study carried would be around 80-100m, although the spans can is regulated by Ofgem, the electricity and pit with a manhole cover at ground level would also out for this project, and a copy of the report can be longer than this if the poles are made taller. The be required. be found in the library section of our website gas markets regulator. This means that we maximum span between poles would be 180m. (www.westernpower.co.uk/brechfaforest). must fulfil various statutory duties, ensure The routeing of underground cables may be restricted A wood pole line would be constructed using standard by buildings and developments, topography, soil type Fault detection on underground cables can be time value for money for our customers and, 4x4 vehicles and agricultural machinery and would not or existing land use. There may also be valuable consuming and, even once located, they can take normally require the removal of hedgerows. under the Electricity Act (1989), develop habitats or cultural heritage sites that could be affected several weeks to repair. This would mean that the by ground disturbance. wind farms would not be able to generate electricity and maintain an efficient, coordinated and while the fault is being located and repaired. The The average cost for building an overhead line is economical electricity network. work can also cause temporary disturbance to £150,000 per kilometre. The average cost for undergrounding cables on the landowner. terrain similar to that of Carmarthenshire is £986,000 WPD is also required to “consider the desirability of per kilometre. preserving amenity” when planning a new electricity Once a connection is built there are no restrictions connection. This means we need to consider the placed on landowners with regard to crops that can be impact our work might have on visual amenity, cultural grown, and few limitations on the machinery that can heritage, ecology, landscape and the local communities be used on the land. in that area. In the event of a fault occurring on an overhead line, it is We must therefore ensure that we consider all of these relatively straightforward to identify and repair the fault. The diagram below shows the typical construction set-up when undergrounding 132kV cables factors when making the 132kV connection between the This can be done in a matter of hours with minimum proposed wind farm and the electricity network. disruption to the land and the electricity network.

The detailed route for the 132kV connection has been selected so that we are able to satisfy all of our Underground cables obligations and the comments of local communities. Regardless of whether WPD proposes a particular When building a new connection, where justified, WPD section of the route to be overhead line or underground will consider undergrounding sections of the route for cable, we would seek to avoid, as far as possible, any environmental, social and economic reasons. These impacts on people, settlements, and environmentally could include locations where it would be physically sensitive areas. difficult to construct an overhead line, wide river or estuary crossings, or the presence of highly valued For a combination of environmental, social and landscapes, including special areas of conservation economic reasons, we believe it is justified to and special landscape areas. It could also include underground the section of the route under the River specific views or areas where other potential impacts Towy, past Abergwili to the east of Carmarthen. could only be reduced by undergrounding. For a combination of these reasons, WPD has decided to underground a 3.4km section across the Towy Valley. Overhead lines Undergrounding involves laying three 10cm-diameter In order to meet our statutory duties, we are planning cables in a single trench in the ground. The trench needs to connect the proposed wind farm using a 132kV to be 1.5m wide at ground level and 1.5m deep. overhead line mounted on single and twin wood poles for the majority of the route. To excavate the trench and lay the cable, a working width of around 16m would need to established, with The typical height of both the single and twin wood wider areas needed at least every 500–800m for joining pole structures would be 15m, with a maximum sections of cable. height of 19.5m.

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4. The environment

As a part of the EIA, Preliminary Environmental WPD’s proposed development will require The topics considered as part of the EIA and reported on in the draft Information (PEI) has been produced and made Environmental Statement are: an assessment of likely significant effects on available at the first two stages of the consultation the environment. We have therefore carried process and WPD requested comments on its Landscape and visual effects Hydrology and flood risk content. For this third stage of consultation the out an Environmental Impact Assessment PEI will be presented as a draft Environmental We have assessed the likely effect of the connection We have assessed the potential effect of the (EIA) and will submit a full Environmental Statement. Copies are available on the project website on the character of the landscape and on the views connection on rivers, streams and water bodies. (www.westernpower.co.uk/brechfaforest) and that people experience in the different areas along Statement as part of our application for a inspection copies provided at the various Information the route. development consent order. Points as detailed on page 43. Geology, hydrogeology and ground conditions

Land use, agriculture and forestry We have assessed the likely effect of the connection on soils, ground contamination, We have assessed the likely effect of both an ground water and geology. overhead line and underground cable on land used for both agriculture and forestry purposes. Noise and vibration

Cultural heritage/historic environment We have assessed the likely effects caused by the construction of the overhead line, the installation of We have assessed the likely effects of the connection underground cable and drilling under the River Towy. on the historic environment, including registered and designated historic landscapes, listed buildings, ancient monuments and other local heritage features Transport and access such as standing stones and historic bridges. We have assessed the likely effect of the connection on the transport network. Ecology

We have assessed the habitats of greatest value for Socio-economics nature conservation and those which would be most likely to be negatively affected by the connection, in We have assessed the likely effect of the connection particular, broadleaved and ancient semi-natural on people, local businesses, communities and woodlands, peat habitats, hedgerows and marshy tourism, including users of public rights of way, grassland habitats. We have also assessed the extent byways, bridleways, footpaths and cycle routes. The draft Environmental Statement is a key document that we are consulting to which the proposed development may affect fish, birds, mammals and reptiles. on as part of this third stage of consultation. Electric and magnetic fields

Copies can be viewed at the Information Points listed on page 43 and electronic versions obtained from the Air quality We have assessed the likely effect of electric and project website (www.westernpower.co.uk/brechfaforest) and on disk by contacting the project team by magnetic fields generated by the connection on email ([email protected]), telephone 0800 019 3518 or post sent to FREEPOST B We have assessed the potential effect of the people. FOREST CONNECTION. connection on air quality, in particular, the effect of dust from excavations.

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5. Consultation so far 6. Statutory consultation

In 2008 the Government passed an Act of determination. The Secretary of State will determine The current stage of consultation is the third and final round of consultation we will be carrying out. Under the the application in accordance with national policy after Planning Act 2008 we are required to carry out a round of statutory consultation with a whole range of consultees Parliament (the Planning Act 2008) with the taking into account other relevant factors, including the and this third round of consultation is our statutory consultation. aim of improving the process for approving local impacts of the proposals. The Planning Act 2008 stipulates that for statutory consultation we must produce a Statement of major new infrastructure projects such as The Planning Act 2008 places a duty on WPD to Community Consultation (SoCC). In November 2014 we published our SoCC, a document which sets out airports, roads, harbours, energy facilities undertake consultation before submitting an application in detail who we would consult and how we would carry out that consultation. Copies of the SoCC can be downloaded from the project website (www.westernpower.co.uk/brechfaforest) and viewed at the various such as nuclear power and waste facilities. for a DCO. Before the Planning Inspectorate will accept an application on behalf of the Secretary of State, it Information Points, as detailed on page 43. must be satisfied that WPD has conducted adequate The Planning Act 2008 defines overhead line projects pre-application consultation. Section 47(1) of the Act In addition to consulting with members of the public we are also consulting with various other groups, at 132kV and above, which are greater than 2km requires WPD to consult with people living in the vicinity including; in length, to be nationally significant infrastructure of the land affected by the proposed scheme. • Statutory consultees (Section 42 of the Planning Act 2008) projects (NSIPs) and they require an application to be • The local authority (Section 43) made for a development consent order (DCO) which We decided that because of the linear nature of the • Landowners and persons with an interest in the land (Section 44) is determined by the Secretary of State. project we should carry out a multi-stage consultation process so as to develop the best route for the The Planning Inspectorate, acting as the examining connection. WPD has already carried out two stages authority on behalf of the Secretary of State, will of non-statutory consultation and is now carrying out This current stage of consultation is running from: examine the application and seek the public’s views statutory consultation with the local authority, statutory Friday, 28 November 2014 to Friday, 16 January 2015. on it. The Planning Inspectorate will then submit consultees, landowners, people with an interest in land its recommendation to the Secretary of State for and members of the public.

Stage 1 – Route corridor options consultation Stage 2 – Route alignment options consultation In summer 2013 WPD carried out 14 weeks of In early 2014 WPD carried out eight weeks of public consultation with Members of Parliament, Assembly consultation on the proposed route alignment options Members and Regional Assembly Members, to connect the wind farms to the electricity network. local authority members, local authority planning This consultation included all the consultees involved department officers, community councils, specialist in the first stage, plus members of the public, local statutory consultees and local amenity user groups. communities, businesses, landowners and those with The purpose of the consultation was to gather an interest in the land. The PEI gathered for the route information to help inform the selection of a preferred alignment options was presented and comments and route corridor, or corridors, to connect the wind farms feedback sought from consultees on its content. to the electricity network. In August 2014 a second Interim Consultation Report WPD also consulted with statutory bodies on early was published. This report details the issues raised stage Preliminary Environmental Information (PEI), in responses submitted by consultees, how WPD gathered by RSK, our environmental consultants, for has responded to the consultation to date and how feedback and comment. consultation feedback informed the selection of preferred route alignment. Following the detailed analysis of the responses received, the first Interim Consultation Report was Both interim consultation reports are available to published in January 2014. This report details the view on the project website (www.westernpower. issues raised in responses submitted by consultees, co.uk/brechfaforest) and are available on disk how WPD has responded to the consultation to date from the Information Points listed on page 43. and how consultation feedback informed the selection of preferred route corridors.

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7. The proposed scheme

The proposed scheme that we are consulting To help you provide feedback on the proposed scheme we have split the route into three sections (A, B and C). on is made up of 25.2km of overhead line, For each section we have also provided a description of 3.4km of underground cable, the access the route.

routes that we need to use to build the Each section is then split down further into plans. Section connection and the temporary storage areas A has seven plans, Section B has two plans and Section C has ten plans. we need for our construction equipment.

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The proposed development connects to the existing overhead line, the EE route, at tower EE42. From here it heads in an easterly direction across Nant Morlais valley. The route then heads in a north-north-easterly direction and crosses under the existing 400,000 volt lines close to one of the pylons.

At Banc y Capel, the overhead line passes to the west of the single wind turbine. The overhead line route then descends the hill towards the A48, crosses the dual carriageway and then continues up to the ridge line where it passes to the west of Tyllwyd-mawr Farm. As the overhead line drops down the hill towards the River Towy it crosses a public footpath and then changes from overhead line to underground cable to the south of the B4300. Section A Section

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18 19 Overview Report Overview Report A3

20 21 Overview Report Overview Report A5 A6

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The overhead line route drops down the hill from Tyllwyd-mawr Farm to a point just south of the B4300 to the east of Llangunnor, where the connection then goes underground. The connection runs under the River Towy and continues underground in a northerly direction where it runs parallel to the River Gwili. The route passes to the west of Abergwili and goes under the Abergwili Road and the A40 before continuing north alongside the River Gwili. The route then skirts round the field that is used as a landing site for the air ambulance before joining the A485 to the north of Glangwili Bridge.

The underground route then follows the A485 for about 800m, firstly in the verge then under the road itself. The underground route then heads west through the fields alongside the single track road for about 300m before turning north under the road and into the fields. Here the route changes from underground cable to overhead line and then heads north through open fields. Section B Section

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The overhead line route passes to the west of Peniel and then heads in a northerly direction towards Rhydargaeau staying to the west of the A485. The route then passes to the west of Pontarsais and the two fishing ponds and then to the east of the hill at Nant-y-boncath, between the hill and the A485.

The route crosses the A485 to the south of Alltwalis and then continues in a north-easterly direction for just over one kilometre, before heading in an easterly direction into the Brechfa Forest and on to the wind farm substation. Section C Section

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34 35 Overview Report Overview Report C5

36 37 Overview Report Overview Report C7 C8

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C9 C10

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8. Have your say 9. Events and information

During the seven-week consultation period Any relevant feedback you provide will be taken Public events into consideration along with our technical and we will be holding a series of exhibitions which environmental obligations. Venue Address Date Times everyone is welcome to attend. At these You can give us your comments either by writing to Llandyfaelog Community Hall Llandyfaelog Tuesday 9th 3pm to 8pm exhibitions you will be able to find out more us or by filling in a feedback form. Paper copies of the SA17 5PA December 2014 about the project, view detailed maps, meet feedback form are available here and at our Information Points, or you can go to our website and submit your Brechfa Village Hall Brechfa Wednesday 10th 3pm to 8pm members of the project team and ask any feedback online. SA32 7RA December 2014 questions you might have about the project. This is likely to be your final opportunity to comment Peniel Community School Peniel, Carmarthen Tuesday 16th 4.30pm to 8pm on our proposed development before we submit SA32 7AB December 2014 our application. We want to hear what you have to say about our St Peter’s Civic Hall, Carmarthen 1 Nott Square, Carmarthen Wednesday 17th 3pm to 8pm proposed scheme so we can use what you tell us to SA31 1PG December 2014 refine our final design. Please ensure your feedback reaches us by Friday, 16 January 2015. Alltwalis Community Centre The Old School, Alltwalis, Friday 9th 3pm to 8pm Carmarthen SA32 7EB January 2015

St Peter’s Civic Hall, Carmarthen 1 Nott Square, Carmarthen Saturday 10th 10am to 4pm SA31 1PG January 2015

Information points

Carmarthenshire County Council Offices Carmarthenshire County Council, 3 Spilman Street, Carmarthen SA31 1LQ (Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 8.45am to 5pm, Friday 8.45am to 4.30pm)

Carmarthen Library St Peter’s Street, Carmarthen SA31 1LN (Opening hours: Monday and Wednesday 9am to 7pm, Tuesday and Friday 9.00am to 6pm, Thursday and Saturday 9am to 5pm)

Penbontbren Stores Llanpumsaint, Carmarthen SA33 6BZ (Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 8am to 8pm, Sunday 9am to 1pm) www.westernpower.co.uk/brechfaforest Gwalia Garage [email protected] Peniel Road, Llanllawddog, Carmarthenshire SA32 7DR (Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 7am to 8pm) FREEPOST B FOREST CONNECTION Peniel Community School Information points - please check with individual venues for Christmas opening times as these 0800 019 3518 information line (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) Peniel, Carmarthen SA32 7AB (Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm) may vary. @WPD_Brechfa

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10. Documents

WPD has produced a range of documents throughout the development of the project and specifically for this stage of consultation.

Consultation documents

Draft Environmental Statement (ES) – this is Preliminary Environmental Information which details the assessments we have carried out into the likely effect of the project on various environmental factors.

Environmental Statement – Non-technical Summary – this is a non-technical summary version of the draft ES.

Overview Report – this is a plain language overview of the Brechfa Forest Connection Project. It also explains how you can access further detailed information and provide feedback.

Feedback Form – this is available in paper form and electronically, this is the form we would like you to use to tell us what you think about the proposed scheme and the draft ES.

Proposed scheme plans – these show the proposed route of the connection, the access points to get to each pole location and the temporary construction areas we would need to use while we build the connection.