Aberedw Hill weather mast plans apporved - but concerns were raised that could affect low level RAF training flights

At a meeting of Powys County Council’s Planning committee on Thursday, January 30 councillors received plans to place a 122.5 metre weather mast at Aberedw Hill near Builth Wells for a five year period.

The planning application has been lodged by Aberedw Energy Park Limited who are also behind proposals to build 18 wind turbines at the site which is on common lean three kilometres to the east of Builth Wells.

Aberedw Energy Park Limited is the development vehicle for Bute Energy, which specialises in wind and solar energy parks.

Senior planning officer Catherine James had said that the application needs to be looked at on its own merits and that any potential windfarm development in the background and should not be a “consideration” for councillors.

She recommended councillors approve the application.

Conservative Councillor Jonathan Wilkinson recalled that a very “similar” application for a weather mast had been in front of the committee in the last few months.

Cllr Wilkinson said: “It does create and impediment to low flying aircraft in particular military aircraft who would have to avoid this part of Mid Wales, and we know how important Mid Wales is for training.

“Are we looking at the cumulative effect of multiple masts of this type on the ability of the military to train in Mid Wales?”

Ms James said: “The Ministry of Defence have been consulted and have not objected; they have asked for two conditions to be attached (to the planning permission).

“One relates to the lighting and the other one is notification of commencement.”

Planning professional lead Peter Morris: “The military will  want to keep accurate records.”

Mr Morris told the committee that the MOD would continue be consulted on each and every application of this nature that comes forward.

Mr Morris said: “They may start raising objections for cumulative reasons if there are too many impediments to low flying aircraft and tactical training.

“So, it may come in the future.”

Powys Independents Cllr Gareth E Jones added: “The Wye Valley is also used by quite a number of civil aircraft have we consulted with civil air authorities as well?

Ms James said: “Yes they have been consulted as well, and we had no comments.”

Plaid Cymru’s Cllr Elwyn Vaughan said: “There are differing views but as the statutory consultees are contents in reality there is no practical planning reason to refuse this application whatever one may feel about it.

He moved to take the committee to a vote on the application.

This saw 11 councillors vote to approve the application, one voted against and three abstained.

The firm have applied to Welsh Government planning inspectors for common land consent to do the work on the site which could take up to a year to process.

If built the wind turbines could generate 108 megawatts (MW) of electricity which would be enough to power the equivalent of 97,000 homes a year.