NEATH Port Talbot Council has agreed to easements on council-owned land near Tonmawr in order to widen roads for the Mynydd Fforch Dwm Wind Farm development.
The Mynydd Fforch Dwm wind farm project was approved by Welsh Ministers in December of 2024, and is classified as a Development of National Significance or DNS.
It could could eventually see the construction of six wind turbines with a maximum tip height of 200m created near the village of Tonmawr near Port Talbot over the coming years.
It could also contain up to 10 hectares of solar photovoltaic panels mounted on frames fixed to the ground along with associated infrastructure such as battery storage facilities, electricity transformers, and access works.
Members in attendance at a recent council cabinet meeting were told how a request had been made for the council to enter into an option agreement and grant “easements in perpetuity” to help facilitate the development.
This would allow for road-widening and the installation of electrical infrastructure on council owned land in and around Tonmawr, Neath, to reduce disruption to the area during construction.
The report said: “Failure to grant the easements would not prevent the development but could increase disruption to the local community during construction.”
Councillors were also told that the authority could not lawfully refuse the easements on grounds such as highway safety, traffic, or local opposition, as these matters were already addressed during the DNS process.
Officers recommended the plans for approval adding that legal advice said if the authority refused it could be exposed to a judicial review, with potential costs of £100,000.
Speaking at the meeting Cllr Steve Hunt who is the leader of the council paid tribute to the work of officers and local ward members who had been engaging with affected communities about the complex plans.
Following discussions the proposals were approved unanimously.
