Around 70 residents from Llanfihangel Nant Bran, Merthyr Cynog, and surrounding areas packed into Llanfihangel Nant Bran village hall last week to hear details of Bute Energy’s latest proposal for a large-scale wind farm.

The scheme, known as the Garreg Fawr Energy Park, would see up to 22 turbines, each with a maximum blade tip height of 220 metres, erected around the village. The project site is located roughly 9km north-west of Brecon and 15km south-west of Builth Wells.

Residents reacted with shock and anger, and those present voted unanimously to back a resolution condemning the plans. Speakers at the meeting, including Powys County Councillor Iain McIntosh (Yscir with Honddu Isaf and Llanddew) and Jenny Chryss of Re-Think, explained the proposals and outlined changes to planning law which mean communities must prepare evidence to support objections at an earlier stage.

Bute Energy is currently running a public consultation, open until October 29, inviting members of the public to review the proposals and provide feedback. The company said all comments would be considered during the next stage of the design process.

Garreg Fawr, according to Bute Energy, could generate approximately 154MW of clean, green energy, enough to power the equivalent of nearly 109,600 households a year.

The proposal has raised further eyebrows locally because it falls within a 10-kilometre exclusion zone around the Sennybridge Training Area, highlighted in Powys County Council’s Local Development Plan. Following a report by the Brecon & Radnor Express earlier this year, the Ministry of Defence previously raised concerns over another nearby project, the proposed Parc Ynni Banc y Celyn wind farm by developer Wind2, which could affect low-flying aircraft and military training. Garreg Fawr lies within the same restricted zone.

To engage with the early proposals and have your say, visit: https://bute.energy/garreg-fawr/overview/