A consultation has been launched by Powys County Council, on behalf of the joint venture partnership behind plans for a Global Centre of Rail Excellence in Wales (Welsh Government, Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council and Powys County Council), on proposed earthworks on Mynydd-y-Drum common. This common land forms part of the Nant Helen Surface Mine at the head of the Dulais and Tawe Valleys.

In May 2020, Celtic Energy Ltd submitted a planning application for complementary earthworks for the Nant Helen Surface Mine site, which includes cuttings and embankments as well as drainage works associated with the revised landform. These works are a revision to the approved restoration

scheme, which would see the opencast site restored to its original use as common land.

Powys County Council has written to graziers, local community representatives and interest groups to seek their feedback on the impacts of the proposed earthworks on the common land before submitting an application to the Planning Inspectorate for the common land works consent.

The revised restoration proposal and complementary earthworks will provide a flexible landform that can be used or adapted for a diverse set of future uses. This could range from traditional agriculture, woodland and nature conservation uses, to amenity, leisure and tourism uses. It could also include industrial uses such as a Global Centre of Rail Excellence test facility for the railways.

It is anticipated that statutory consultation on a planning application for preferred proposals for a Global Centre of Rail Excellence will take place later this summer. As part of this process, a separate consultation will take place relating specifically to impacts (including the test track and infrastructure) on common land.

The proposals for the Global Centre of Rail Excellence include a rail testing complex with two electrified oval tracks for rolling stock and infrastructure testing, allowing for testing speeds of up to 110mph.

A Wales-based UK rail testing and storage facility would deliver improved services to passengers, reduce industry costs, accelerate decarbonisation, increase the throughput of innovation, and provide jobs, training and skills opportunities locally for decades to come. Given the demand for test facilities across Europe and beyond it is expected that a Global Centre of Rail Excellence in Wales would also be well placed to attract international business.

Councillor Aled Davies, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Finance, Countryside and Transport for Powys County Council said: “This is another important step towards ensuring a sustainable future for the Nant Helen surface mine site and to delivering a Global Centre of Rail Excellence for the Dulais Valley. We recognise and understand the importance of common land to the local community and are working closely with Neath Port Talbot Council on the allocation of land. I would encourage anyone with an interest to provide their comments to the Council.”

Anyone wishing to give comments or find out more about the common land consultation should contact [email protected]