Open Meeting of Community Councils 

to discuss Towy/Teifi, Towy/Usk & Vyrnwy Frankton projects

Including: Pylons, Wind Farms and Sub-station Proposals

13/01/26 – Minutes of meeting 

Attendees: 

Llanfair Clydogau and Cellan Community Council

            Dave Bartholomew (meeting chair) 

Llanfair Clydogau and Cellan Community Council

            Simon Aldridge 

Llangunnor Community Council

Scott Bayes

Llanwrtyd Wells Town Council

Cheryl Hood

Llanwrtyd Wells Town Council

James Davies

Llanllawddog Community Council

Andrew Rees

Llanfirangel ar Arth

Angela James

Apologies

Sue Lilly (Llangammarch Community Council)

Nicola Jones (Llandyfaelog Community Council)

Mark Hammond (Builth Wells Town Council)

Havard Hughes (Llanllawddog Community Council)

Agenda. 

1. Green Gen (Pylons) response to second consultation feedback     
2. Standing item, review/discussion of any received    
3. Nant Mithil energy park planning application update 
4. Senedd protest being organised by action groups – Feb 11^th 

• Round table update/information sharing from councils attending.

Open

Green Gen (Pylons) response to second consultation feedback

No responses have been received.

Nant Mithil energy park planning application update

• The application determination period was suspended on 17th December, a few days before the public representation window was due to close, in order to ‘…allow PEDW to review the availability of redacted information and consult with additional consultees…’.
• As of the date of this meeting there have been 363 Interested Party Representations’ the majority of which are against the application. 
• The MoD have responded and have not objected, although they have stipulated that certain potential issues (to low flying aircraft) must be assessed and satisfactorily addressed.
• Note the following detail has been added after the meeting and re-checking the PEDW website (Planning Casework.Service – CAS-01907-D7Q6Z1)  On the 12^th January, PEDW rules that no further action is required.  However, three additional consultees have been added; Shropshire Council, Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority, and The Georgian Group.  Therefore the consultation period will remain open till 16 February 2026.
• The question was raised as to whether PEDU would have time to consider the application properly and make a ruling before the purdah period leading into the Senedd elections in early May. 

Senedd protest being organised by action groups – Feb 11th  

• A mass protest is being organized by various local groups (the initial call was made by Llanwrtyd Wells anti Pyloin and turbine Action Group) for a demonstration outside of the Sennedd in Cardiff at midday, about the large-scale wind-farm and grid proposals across Wales (initial facebook post).  The date has been picked to align with a Senedd debate on the morning of Feb 11 on matters relating to climate change, the environment and infrastructure.  The following day the Senedd goes into recess until 23^rd Feb.  The protest also falls before lambing season.
• Local communities and groups are being contacted to organize representation and transport to maximise support and attendance.

Round table update/information sharing from councils attending.

• The local ‘discontent’ amongst communities about the way Green Gen have been entering upon land and ‘generally making a nuisance of themselves’ and using threating behavior was noted.  In addition, the serious adverse impact upon, and the need to protect, the Welsh countryside and Welsh land was also raised as a major concern
• Some councils (and individual councilors) are considering their position with respect to offering support to concerned local community members and, as a result and if appropriate, local action groups within their community
• An article in the Times (Sat 10^th January – article online link) highlighted that constraint payments (made to compensate windfarm operators when the turbines have to be switched off because the grid cannot cope with the load) in Scotland this year have run into hundreds of millions of pounds.  It was also highlighted in the Daily Express and the Telegraph this week of an alleged £7.6 to £9 trillion ‘hidden cost’ to UK wide Net Zero initiatives.
• It was noted that accessing the Justice for Wales website (Justice for Wales website) is a very good way of keeping up to date with progress on the Judicial Review against Green Gen and their ‘Land Consent Agents’ (ref. Carter Jonas – Carter Jonas).

Additional discussion points

It was noted that:

• The minutes from all previous meetings have been shared with community councils and should be available either as a published document on the council website or on request from the council clerk.  If there are any problems with access, the chair of these meetings will be able to providecopies of all previous minutes on request.
• The courts are soon due to rule (decision expected by end of January/start of February) if there is a case to be heard in the Judicial Review raised into Green Gen.  (Shropshire Star 19th January).  It was suggested that the application for a Judicial Review has ‘shaken’ Green Gen and that if the application and the review itself are successful that will be significant in calling for Ofgem to reconsider the grant of the energy transmission license to Green Gen.  It was further noted that for the past two years Green Gen have organized their consultations around this time of year and that this year it is noticeable that, as yet, nothing has been announced regarding the final, statuary consultation.
  • Note the following detail has been added after the meeting: The Justice for Wales Facebook page (Justice For Wales FB) is reporting, after the hearing, that permission has been given for the Judicial Review to go ahead with costs by each party being capped.  The capping of costs seems significant as at previous court hearings launched by Green Gen against individual landowners, legal costs of £50,000 were threatened to be sought by Green Gen against any landowner who went to court and lost.

• There have been concerns raised around the proposed energy park in the area of Upper Chappel (Parc Ynni Banc y Celyn). Some of these concerns relate to proximity of the development to the perimeter of the MoD, it is believed that there is no development permitted of any structure within 10km of the boundary of the military ranges.  It is believed that a previous development some years ago (1970’s) in the area between Llanddewi Brefi and Llyn Brianne may have been turned down because the MoD objected.  The development may have been stopped by an act of parliament.  But at this point no further detail is available.
• It was suggested that although the increase in capacity of the grid, in generation and transmission is required to better support current usage, it will increase greatly in the future as society moves towards electric cars, and heat-pumps to heat houses, and also the introduction of AI data centers which consume immense levels or power and also water to cool them.  This will add to the fragile energy and water infrastructure within the UK.
• Moves to organize a hustings in Lampeter in February/March continue (given the February recess, March is a more likely option.
• Llanfair Clydogau and Cellan Community Council are looking to organize ‘drop-in’ events within the community in order to gain an more complete understanding of local opinion of the proposed energy infrastructure developments which affect out council area (132kv overhead power lines carried by 45 pylons through our council area, the Lan Fawr Energy Park, the Waun Maenllwyd Wind Energy Hub, the Bryn Rhudd Energy Park, the Nant Ceiment Energy Park and the Bryn Cadwgan Energy Park).  The primary aim is to give background to any points raised by council on planning applications which we may comment on.  Correctly documented views from the public to support council representations will be a vital component of any comment on a planning application if they are to be given due consideration.  A further aim of the ‘drop-in’ is to allow a local voice on issues which may be raised at a local hustings (NHS access/provision, Rural transport services and infrastructure Tourism, Farming, etc.).  It was suggested other Town and Community Councils may wish to hold similar ‘drop-in’ sessions and the offer was made to share thoughts and plans for an event with other councils should they wish to do so.  Again, interested councils should contact the chair.
• The question was raised as to why there are no agenda items on wind-farms and pylons on the OVW (One Voice Wales) regular meetings.  Previous attempts to raise the matter at OVW (Ceredigion area committee) meetings have not always been successful, although some discussion of pylon plans has been raised at Carmarthenshire area committee.  It was noted that these meetings themselves, were launched because to a lack of any response (total silence) from OVW to a request to hold a ‘Wales wide’ meeting of Town and Community Councils to discuss this issue.  The meetings have grown since the first meeting in January 2025 to the current invite list to 36 Town and Community Councils on the three pylon lines proposed by Green Gen through Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Powys.
• It was suggested that all councils on the distribution list for this meeting (and others with close links) write to OVW and ask why this national issue is not on their agenda?  Why it is not being discussed? And to request that OVW do support affected councils who represent communities who are impacted by these developments and are objecting to them.  A template letter will be designed and presented for review at the next meeting, if accepted it will be sent to all councils on the distribution list.
  • Note the following detail has been added after the meeting:  in Scotland community councils are making similar representation but they are doing so after many developments have been approved and undertaken and the full scale of the impact is no longer in doubt see:
  • 53 community councils demand Scottish highland energy projects pause
  • Community councils back calls for a moratorium on more onshore renewables in south of Scotland
  • Borders community councils to join forces amid surge of renewable energy applications
• There was a request to send a notice in advance of the publication of the formal minutes to make all councils aware of the Senedd protest, to ensure that as many councils are aware and can add it to the agenda for discussion at their next council meeting.

Next Meeting 7.30pm on Tuesday 17^th February 2026.

Update on Commemorative woodland at Brownhill 

Following on from my previous correspondence on 22 June, I am writing to provide you with an update on the plans for the commemorative woodland at Brownhill, in the Tywi Valley Carmarthenshire.

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us through our public consultation and drop in events in March and June last year. We were pleased to be able to engage with so many residents and have the opportunity to listen to people’s views and concerns on the proposals for the land at Brownhill. 

Having listened carefully to the feedback we received, we are pleased to be able to share the designs for the site and inform you of our next steps.

The site has now been divided in to three main areas, each prioritising different objectives;  a conservation space for wildlife to flourish, a woodland space for commemoration that is fully accessible, and a growing space to provide sustainable opportunities for continued food production, trees, and nature.

We have set out a summary of our plans below, outlining how we will deliver the objectives for each area, taking in to consideration the responses we received through our consultation:

Area one – Conservation space 

Main objectives 

Our main objectives for the conservation space are to improve access points to ensure the public and local anglers can safely access the river and create riparian and wet woodland to help benefit biodiversity and promote a healthy active floodplain. 

How we will achieve this: 

Our initial plans for this area of the site will require minimal intervention. It will be allowed to develop in to riparian woodland to allow for natural processes, as has been the case for the last ten years.  We will improve public access by restoring a footbridge and establishing an informal walking route that will allow people and anglers to safely access the riverside and enjoy the wildlife. Signage will be installed to provide information to people on how they can use the area safely and help care for the area. In time, we will also be exploring opportunities to undertake river restoration work in this area to naturalize the previously canalised section of the river to improve habitat for fish and invertebrates.

Full details, including maps and drawings of the conservation space can be viewed via our Citizen Space project page from 19 January.

Area two – Woodland space

Main objectives 

Our main objective for the woodland space is to create a native broadleaf woodland that maximises habitat diversity and provides a contemplative green space where people can come to reflect and remember loved ones.

How we will achieve this:

The woodland has been designed to enhance the existing features of the site and wewill retain a substantial open space to provide important open habitat. To ensure the new woodland is resilient to the threats of pests and diseases and climate change, we will plant a broad range of species and shrubs, including Oak, Hornbeam, Small leaved lime, Hazel and Crab apples. 

To help improve public access and ensure the safety of visitors to the site, a car park will be constructed, existing field entrances will be upgraded, and small footbridges will be installed, allowing us to create circular walks around the area. 

Benches will also be placed near the entrance and fruit and nut trees will be planted to create a blossoming feature in the spring and provide fruit for visitors and the community to pick. We have also been keen to find a fitting  name for the commemorative woodland. Given that the land formed part of the adjacent  Abermarlais estate and is bisected by the Afon Marlais,  the woodland itself will be named  Coedwig Abermarlais.

Full details, including maps and drawings of the conservation space can be viewed via our Citizen Space project page from 19 January.

Area three – Growing space 

Main objectives 

Our main objective for the growing space was to establish a partnership to allow us to provide sustainable opportunities to grow food, trees and nature and improve water quality, soil health and habitat and species diversity.

How we will achieve this:

We presented a number of options for increasing tree cover alongside continued agricultural production and asked consultees to discuss the various merits of these which they would most like to see. The suggestion of continuing agricultural production alongside increased tree cover was well received.

The plan for this area is to increase the tree cover to around 20%.  We will do this by widening the existing hedgerows and re-establishing hedgerows along historic field boundaries that have been lost. We will also plant along the field edge adjacent to the existing woodland and establish groups of in-field trees that will in future create a wood pasture type habitat.  The new planting will be fenced to allow the continued grazing of the majority of the land, and the land will be managed in line with prescriptions to benefit wildlife, soil health and water quality.

In the longer term, we will seek to establish a partnership for the long-term management of this area in conjunction with a local farm business/businesses.  This will include further co-design of the area with the potential for further planting or other cropping uses for the improved grassland that were raised during the consultation.

Full details, including maps and drawings of the conservation space can be viewed via our Citizen Space project page from 19 January.

Next steps 

When creating new woodland, we place particular importance on working closely with local communities and stakeholders to provide them with the opportunity to be involved with the plans and share their ideas with us. We are keen to continue this proactive engagement at Brownhill as the site progresses. 

In the near future, we will create opportunities for volunteers to help us prepare and plant trees on the site. We will keep you updated about the dates and timings of these in due course.

Update on Commemorative woodland at Brownhill 

Following on from my previous correspondence on 1 March, I am writing to update you on the feedback we have received from our first public consultation on the Commemorative Woodland at Brownhill and to inform you of our next steps.

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We were pleased to be able to engage with so many residents, both through our on-line consultation and community drop-in session at Llangadog in March, and have the opportunity to listen to people’s views and concerns on the proposals for the land at Brownhill.

As a result of the feedback we have received, we have divided the site into three main areas, each of which will have different objectives. 

Area 1 – Conservation space

1. Riparian and wet woodland with minimum intervention primarily to benefit biodiversity and to promote a healthy active floodplain.
2. Identify areas where the public can safely access the river, causing minimal disturbance for wildlife to flourish.
3. Improve access points to the river and ensure that anglers can continue to access the space safely.

Area 2 – Woodland Space

4. Create a native broadleaf woodland that maximises habitat diversity.
5. A contemplative and commemorative space that is accessible to all.
6. Create a green resource for community use.

Area 3 – Growing Space

6. Work in partnership to deliver sustainable opportunities to grow food, trees, nature.
7. Increase tree cover to demonstrate how government planting initiatives to help tackle the climate and nature emergencies can be achieved alongside other land uses.
8. Improve water quality, soil health and the habitat and species diversity.

Regarding areas one and two, we understand the concerns raised about safe access to the site and different proposed uses of the land. However, the majority of the feedback from our first round of consultation indicated general support for the objectives set out for Area one, the “Conservation space” and Area2, the “Woodland space”.

We will approach these two areas differently to ensure public access and space for wildlife complement each other. In the longer term we will investigate ways to make the site more accessible without a car.

The majority of ideas and concerns we received relate to Area Three, the “Growing Space”. We will therefore focus this next stage of consultation on this part of the site.

We think this is an exciting opportunity to work in partnership (for example, a community group, a young farmer, or someone else) to test out and demonstrate land use proposals to tackle the climate and nature emergencies, integrated into productive agriculture.

Next steps of consultation 

From today, (23 June) we are launching a second online consultation, to seek feedback from our neighbours, surrounding communities, and partners on how we can achieve the objectives for Area Three, the “Growing Space.”

As part of the consultation, we will also be holding a community drop in event on 14 of July at Llansadwrn reading room, SA19 8HH Carmarthenshire, to speak with communities from the surrounding area and gather feedback.

We want to encourage people who live in the area to come along on 14 July and talk to us or take part in our online consultation and have their say.  Commemorative woodland at Brownhill – next phase of consultation – Natural Resources Wales Citizen Space – Citizen Space (cyfoethnaturiol.cymru)

Should you wish to discuss anything in more detail, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Yours sincerely,

Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru​ / Natural Resources Wales

New consultation will ask local communities to share their views on commemorative woodland site at Brownhill.

Following on from my previous correspondence on 4 February, I am writing to inform you about a consultation Natural Resources Wales is undertaking, to seek people’s views for the design of the new commemorative woodland site at Brownhill in the Tywi valley. 

As you will be aware, the site at Brownhill has been confirmed as one of three planned locations for memorial woodlands in Wales, which were announced last month by the First Minister Mark Drakeford. The ambition is for the woodlands to be seen as a symbol of Wales’ resilience during the Covid-19 pandemic and one of regeneration and renewal as they grow. 

The purpose of the consultation is to allow us to seek feedback from local communities and partners on the plans for the woodland to help shape the design and ongoing management for the future. 

The consultation will also ensure any potential impacts on the surrounding area are considered and offer the opportunity for people to put forwards ideas on how they can be involved with the planning process. 

As part of the consultation, we will also be holding a community drop in event for residents to attend and speak with staff, on the 9 March at Llangadog village hall between 12:00m -7:00pm.  

The new woodland will form part of the Welsh Government Woodland Estate which is managed by NRW on behalf of Welsh Government, and the National Forest for Wales. 

The site will be planted to ensure the new woodland is diverse and resilient to the impacts of pests, diseases, and climate change and will create habitat connectivity in the landscape, due to surrounding woodland, mature hedges, and veteran trees.

It is also flat, and therefore creates the opportunity for creating fully accessible trails.

We would be grateful if you could help raise awareness of the drop in event and consultation with your constituents and encourage them to participate. 

You can view the consultation link here: Woodland Creation at Brownhill – Natural Resources Wales Citizen Space – Citizen Space (cyfoethnaturiol.cymru)

You can view our project page here: https://ymgynghori.cyfoethnaturiol.cymru/communications-cyfathrebu/wales-commemorative-woodlands

We intend this to be just the beginning of our consultation, and there will be other opportunities over the spring and summer to help plan and shape this site. There is an option on the online consultation for you to provide contact details so we can keep you updated.