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Proposed windfarm at Nant y Moch
Location
Click here for a map showing the location of Nant y Moch. The map also shows other existing and proposed wind power developments in Mid Wales, but not the nearby windfarm at Mynydd Gorddu (between Aberystwyth and Nant y Moch).
Proposal Map
A simplified version is shown here. A more detailed map is available on the SSE website (based on full-colour OS 1:25,000 Explorer mapping).
Click map for a larger version
As well as the turbines, it shows proposed access roads and other infrastructure. For those familiar with the existing paths and tracks, it will emphasise the magnitude of what is proposed.
Landscape
Click here for an assessment
Biodiversity
The development site contains a richly diverse population of plants, fungi and lichens, including special species associated with the spoil of disused metal-ore mines. The developers' Preliminary Environmental Information and consultation have elicited a strong objection to the proposal from the British Lichen Society and the charity Plantlife.
Archaeology
The archaeological importance of Nant y Moch is made clear in a paper (by CMS member Stephen Briggs) "Why Nant y Moch is a Vital Study Area for Early Settlement Studies and Climate Change in the British Uplands" (PDF - 1.5 megabytes) which also emphasises the environmental and archaeological significance of the vast and fragile blanket peat bog which covers much of the area.
Site Access & Construction Traffic
Permission is to be sought to gain access to the site via the A44 and Bwlch Nant-yr-arian. The Preliminary Environmental Information document states that construction will require 150,000 return vehicle movements over 30 months (starting no earlier than 2013) including 1224 abnormal vehicle movements; it will cause "considerable congestion".
What the Society is doing
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We have engaged a consultant to prepare our submission to the Infrastructure Planning Commission. |
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In June 2009, we staged a Protest Rally at the development site. |
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In February 2010, we staged a well attended Public Meeting in Talybont. |
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We are giving presentations to community councils, WIs, rotary clubs etc to inform them of the proposals. |
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On Sunday 6th March 2011 we staged a protest at Nant y Moch, led by writer Jim Perrin. |
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From 21-26 March 2011, we staged an exhibition, using donated shop space, in central Aberystwyth, to publicise the huge scale and likely impacts of the proposal, and our case against it. It received many visitors, including the MP for Ceredigion and several other politicians. Click here for photos. |
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When the application has been lodged (autumn 2012), we will circulate a letter asking members and other people who are concerned about the developments to write and express their opposition. Objections must take into account all the proposals in the eventual application, so there is no point in objecting until the details are known. |
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We hope to arrange a public event in the summer to encourage people to write in and to make as many as possible aware of this horrific proposal. |
Proposal History
| 2005 |
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In its Technical Advice Note 8 (TAN8) the Welsh Government earmarks Nant y Moch as a Strategic Search Area (SSA) for major wind power development. |
| 2006 |
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Recommendation that SSA be "refined" (reduced in size), in Arup study commissioned by Ceredigion County Council. |
| 2006-8 |
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Tendering process to select developer.
Erection of anemometer masts. |
| 2008 |
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Airtricity (which has since become SSE Renewables) secures developer rights.
Preliminary site layout shows 105 x 1.5MW turbines. |
| 2009 |
June |
Protest Rally at Nant y Moch organised by Cambrian Mountains Society. |
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Nov |
Trial run from South Wales to test road access to the site for abnormal loads. |
| 2010 |
Feb |
Public meeting organised by Cambrian Mountains Society in Tal-y-bont. |
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Mar |
Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC), set up under the Planning Act 2008, starts work. |
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April |
SSE submits Scoping Document to Infrastructure Planning Commission, proposing 80 x up to 2.5MW turbines. |
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May |
Coalition government promises legislation to replace IPC. |
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May |
IPC publishes its Opinion on the Scoping Document. |
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May |
Developers publish Proposals Summary Document |
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June |
Developers publish Preliminary Environmental Information, proposing 64 turbines. |
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Developers start formal public consultation. |
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Aug |
Developers publish Interim Consultation Report |
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Nov |
Developers publish Draft Non Technical Summary of the Environmental Statement |
| 2011 |
Feb |
Date originally fixed for submission of planning application to IPC; since postponed |
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Mar |
Second CMS Protest Rally at Nant y Moch, led by writer Jim Perrin |
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Mar |
CMS stages a week-long public exhibition in central Aberystwyth |
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June |
Developers publish revised Proposals Summary Document.
The new document incorporates changes made to the development proposal since the original Proposals Summary Document was put out to consultation in May 2010. No change to the 64 turbines of up to 146.5m, but site boundary changed, and more details of the access to the site.
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Developers publish* draft Environmental Statement (previously only available in summary form).
* on DVD (£10) or as hard copy (£exorbitant) or available for inspection at local locations. |
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Second formal public consultation, on the revised Proposals, and on the Draft Environmental Statement. Click here for CMS response, and other responses. |
| 2012 |
May |
Fifth postponement of planning application - to autumn 2012. |
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External Website Links and further information
Nant y Moch
NoNantymochWindfarm.co.uk
SSE Renewables The Developers' Nant y Moch windfarm website
Wind Farm Planning in Mid Wales
Infrastructure Planning Commission
Petition
Windfarm Victims
Mid Wales
House of Commons Private Members' debate on Wind Farms in Mid Wales, 10th May 2011
Wind Farm Planning in Mid Wales
Montgomeryshire Against Pylons
People Against Pylons (Mid Wales & Shropshire)
Wales
Visit Wales Now Includes reports of red kites killed by wind turbines
Coflein (site of the Royal commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments in Wales)
General
National Opposition to Windfarms
Does windpower work? Authoritative Analysis and Statistics by TAWE (Truth About Wind Energy) for windpower generation 2002-2008.
John Muir Trust Popular pro-wind beliefs exposed as fallacy
Country Guardian UK-wide campaign against industrial scale wind turbines
Dulas (offers “professional services for clients wishing to implement renewable energy”)
EPAW (European Platform Against Windfarms, calling for a moratorium on European wind energy projects)
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