90m anemometer mast at Land at Pwll Yr Lwrch (1.7km to east of Maesteg and 3km west of Blaengarw) Maesteg

“PROPOSAL: The installation of a 90m high anemometer mast for a temporary period of up to three years…”

“DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT Full Planning Permission is sought for the installation of a 90m high anemometer mast for a temporary period of up to three years after which time the mast would be removed and the site restored to its current condition.”

“SITE DESCRIPTION The proposal is located on agricultural land located below Mynydd Pwll yr Lwrch (previously Mynydd Bach) a 425m high hill which is situated to the east of Nantyffyllon. Access to the site would be via public highway through Caerau and then Croeserw onto the gated Natural Resources Wales forestry and farm access track which runs from Bryn Coed.”

“The site comprises grazed marshy grassland located on an upland plateau and is enclosed by post and wire fencing. Land to the north and east contains significant areas of mature pine plantation forestry, known as Dunraven Forest.”

“CONSULTATION RESPONSES Maesteg Town Council: It was advised that Members wished to not support the application ‘on the basis of it being a precursor to another wind farm which will encase the valley and continue to erode the surrounding environment both visually and mentally for the local residents.”

“Natural Resources Wales: Initially raised concerns with the lack of information regarding Ornithology. Following receipt of the Ornithology Technical Note, NRW advised they had no objection to the proposed development.”

“REPRESENTATIONS RECEIVED Five objections were received from residents of Cavan Row, Bank Street, Mill View Estate and Heol ty Gwyn, Maesteg and Wesley Street, Caerau. Concerns raised in the objections include:”

“Incorrect spelling of application location • Insufficient consultation and survey work has been undertaken prior to lodgement of the application. • Loss of nature in area since industrialisation • Impact on birds and rare butterflies • Visual impact of the mast • Cumulative impact of mast and other infrastructure features on the landscape • The use of existing tracks will result in disturbance to the ecology of the area • No information provided on connections to power,…”

“Having regard to the above, the main issues to consider in this Application relate to the principle of development, impact on the visual amenity of the location, biodiversity, archaeological and transport impacts.”

“Highway Safety Policy SP5: Sustainable Transport and Accessibility of the RLDP states that new development must be located and designed in a way that minimises the need to travel, reduces dependency on the private car and enables sustainable access to local services. Development must be designed to provide safe and efficient access to the transport network, which includes the active travel, public transport and street networks.”

“The ADBC concludes that the impacts from the proposed development are expected to be ‘fairly limited’ given the placement of the mast and method of its construction. The predicted impact can be reduced by a mitigation strategy involving either archaeological fieldwork or mitigation by design.”

“RESOLVED: That the above application be granted, subject to the conditions contained in the report of the Corporate Director – Communities.”

“The development shall be undertaken in strict accordance with the Landscape & Habitat Mitigation proposals as outlined in the Landscape & Habitat Mitigation Note prepared by WSP and dated 24 July 2025. The biodiversity proposals shall be maintained in accordance with the aftercare Maintenance & Management measures listed in the Note for a minimum period of 5 years.”