Brechfa Forest West - the proposal
Brechfa Forest West Wind Farm is centred on the Afon Pib valley, east of Alltwalis. Our studies suggest this location could accommodate 28 turbines. The area of the site covers 1041 hectares. The current layout could accommodate an installed capacity of between 56 and 84 MW. The average annual generation expected at the site would be equivalent to the approximate domestic needs of up to 39,700 average UK households.
Project latest
Consultation, as agreed with Carmarthenshire County Council and published in our Statement of Community Consultation, in line with IPC guidance, ended at 5pm on 6 April.
Feedback has been received and its implications for the project are now being considered.
On November 4, 2011, an application for Brechfa Forest West Wind Farm was submitted to the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC). The application was validated or ‘accepted’ by the IPC on Wednesday, 30 November, 2011 and will now be examined by the IPC.
The consenting process
As Brechfa Forest West Wind Farm will have an installed capacity of over 50MW, it is being considered by the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC), an independent body that now decides applications for nationally significant infrastructure projects.
The IPC came into operation on 1 March 2010, with a remit to consider applications for projects such as large wind farms, and will make decisions based on policies which are set out by the Government
http://infrastructure.independent.gov.uk/
Public consultation
Getting involved in the communities in which we operate is an important part of our development process, and allows us to build positive relationships and understand local sensitivities. Our communications are always bilingual, two-way, timely, open and honest
Throughout the development of our proposals in the Brechfa Forest, we are updating communities on progress, and enabling regular two-way dialogue. We have done this in a number of ways including through updates to this website; by arranging a series of public exhibitions; by providing information in the local media and newspapers; and through ongoing dialogue with a range of stakeholders and community representatives. We are also publishing Wind Power News - a newsletter to keep you up to date with our activities and have distributed this to over 4,200 homes and organisations in the surrounding area.
Register with IPC
The IPC accepted for examination the application from RWE Npower Renewables for the proposed wind farm on 30 November 2011. The public and those interested in the proposal can register with the IPC between 7 December 2011 and 18 January 2012.
Members of the public are now invited to register with the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) and make a representation about the application for the Brechfa Forest West Wind Farm proposal.
For detail on how to register your interest in Brechfa Forest West wind farm with IPC, download the leaflet here. (PDF | 0.2 MB)
People can register easily online at: www.independent.infrastructure.gov.uk
Alternatively, they may call the IPC helpline: 0303 444 5000 for a printed registration form, which must be completed and returned to the IPC by 18 January 2012.
IMPORTANT - The window to register with the IPC will close on 18 January 2012.
The IPC’s next steps are as follows:
Pre-examination
At this stage, the public will be able to register to have their say to the IPC about the application and provide a summary of their views in writing. At pre-examination stage, everyone who has registered to have their say on the proposal will be invited to attend a preliminary meeting run and chaired by an IPC Commissioner. This stage of the process takes approximately 3 months, from the point at which the developer formally notifies and publicises that the application has been accepted.
Examination
The IPC has six months to carry out the examination. During this stage, people who have registered to have their say, are invited to provide more details of their views in writing, they may also request open floor hearings are held.
Decision
Within three months, the IPC will make a recommendation to the Secretary of State who will make the decision within a further three month period.
The IPC will publish all decisions on its website.
Post decision
Once a decision about an application has been issued any legal challenge must be made within 6 weeks.
For information about this project, including all application documents, please see the Infrastructure Planning Commission website for Brechfa Forest West Wind Farm: http://infrastructure.independent.gov.uk/projects/wales/brechfa-forest-west-wind-farm/
When corresponding with IPC, please always refer to application reference no. EN010008.
IPC Telephone helpdesk: 0303 444 5000.
