A pause on processing plans for a controversial windfarm near Llandrindod Wells has been extended for a further three months to allow the developer time to answer more questions.

Work processing Bute Energy’s Nant Mithil Energy Park proposal at Radnor Forest, which includes 30 wind turbines up to 220 metres in height, has been put on hold until September 29.

The application is being dealt with by Welsh Government planning inspectors as it is classed as a Development of National Significance (DNS) and has been put on hold twice previously.

This means Powys County Council is merely a statutory consultee and not a decision maker.

The latest pause was supposed to end on June 29, but in their latest update, PEDW (Planning and Environment Decisions Wales), the national planning authority for Wales, has said the pause has been extended to the end of September.

Infrastructure consenting team leader Hannah Roberts said: “After reviewing the consultation responses to the further information main response report and associated appendices (FIMRR), the Inspectors have determined that further clarification and information is required from the applicant before the examination can proceed further.”

Bute Energy is being asked for more information on the relationship between the development and the grid connection, the road route for the turbines to get to the site, as well as its possible impact on nearby Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Areas of Conservation (SAC).

PEDW has asked the applicant to clarify its position on the conservation of peatlands, soils and irreplaceable habitats.

The political landscape has also seen a seismic shift in Wales, which will potentially impact onshore windfarm schemes as the new Plaid Cymru Welsh Government has a preference for using underground cables instead of pylons.

Due to this, PEDW said: “Having regard to the stated position of the new Welsh Government regarding pylons and overhead transmission infrastructure, the applicant is invited to provide clarification as to whether this has any bearing on the deliverability, timing or implementation of the scheme.”

Bute has been given a deadline of August 11 to provide the necessary information.

The application has seen overwhelming opposition, with hundreds of objections lodged with PEDW against it.

Bute Energy says the proposal would generate 198MW (megawatts) of clean, green energy, which is enough to power the equivalent of between 130,000 and 193,000 homes every year.

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An annual community benefit fund worth up to £1.5 million would be available to support groups, places and projects in the community for the operational life of the park.