Sustainable Wales Support Y Bryn Wind Farm Bordering Neath Port Talbot

Deadline to register support is - midnight this Friday 24th May. 

Project reference number: DNS/3264571 – Y Bryn Wind Farm

https://vogonline.planning-register.co.uk/Planning/Display/2023/00974/OBS

Sustainable Wales is supporting this application. If renewable energy applications respond to local issues of biodiversity and landscape plus the (Welsh Government’s requirement) 10% of shared ownership for the local community and its economy, we believe it is important that they are welcomed and encouraged. Offering a step towards addressing the Climate Crisis. 

We are aware that Community Cooperative Awel Aman Tawe, Neath Port Talbot Council for Voluntary Service and Bridgend Association of Voluntary Services have an agreed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Windfarm developer - to deliver up to 20% of this project through a co-op, Awel y Bryn, and to manage the Community Benefit Fund which will total approximately £1m/year to support a range of local community projects.

Sustainable Wales want PEDW to take account of this shared ownership structure in their decision. It is important that local people gain financial advantage via their community groups projects and activities. 

In addition:

·      Y Bryn will generate around 317,883 megawatt-hours of renewable electricity per year, equivalent to the annual needs of 85,700 average UK homes or approximately 68% of households in Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend council areas combined.

·       Y Bryn will offset over 137,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel generation each year. 

·      Y Bryn will deliver a Biodiversity Net Benefit through the agreed Habitat Management Plan. Pertinent vis-a-vis PPW February 2024.

·      Y Bryn will deliver significant improvements to access for a range of forest users through an Access Management and Enhancement Plan. 

·      Y Bryn will pay substantial business rates to the two local Councils. 

·      Y Bryn will bring local jobs and investment during construction and operation. 

·      Y Bryn will contribute approximately 7.3% of the remaining shortfall against the Welsh Government’s 2030 target to generate 70% of consumed electricity by renewable means. 

·      Y Bryn is located within a Strategic Search Area (SSA)for large scale wind energy developments identified in 2004 and is partially within a Pre-Assessed Area (PAA) identified more recently.

·      There would be significant benefits to the City Region.

·      To boot, a significant contribution to renewable energy.

More information:

https://news.wales/south/neath-port-talbot-council/plans-submitted-for-potential-uk-record-breaking-wind-farm-in-wales-2024-04-46340.html

Successful Launch of Sleepwalking Into Climate Change? films

Monday, 29th January saw the public launch at the Hi Tide, Porthcawl of three short films highlighting, especially young people’s concerns about climate change -‘Sleepwalking into Climate Change?

Watch the films here

The event was great, with close to 100 people attending, including the leader of Bridgend CBC, Cllr Huw David , Cllr John Spanswick and Town Councillor Jonathon Pratt.

Porthcawl and Bridgend will not be immune and so the films were made on location in Porthcawl, to also challenge and recognise that we all have a role - public, politicians and pundits - NOW. 

Discussions were held after each film and the politicians joined in the conversations. We were delighted with the public response.

Notes were taken of concerns and opinion and many comments were filmed. These will be sent to the Welsh government’s ‘Climate Conversation’ team, who are gathering evidence across Wales from public events to help inform a new policy. The aim to help guide organisations to plan for net zero in a fair and just way called ‘A Just Transition Framework‘  to be published this year.

However, the next meeting for those who want to help propel a sustainable future is on February 14th 2024 6.45pm in the Green Room above SUSSED. Porthcawl CF36 3BG Snacks and refreshments will be provided – it’s Valentine’s Day!

 

 

 

 

Launch of Sleepwalking Into Climate Change films - Watch now

‘Sleepwalking into Climate Change?” is a series of three short films which are largely filmed in Porthcawl (Bridgend Borough).

Available to view now on our YouTube channel

Please subscribe to our channel https://www.youtube.com/@sustainablewales

The three films cover different aspects of the current issues:

Conversations. Ep. 1

We meet Local Sustainable Development Coordinator, a climate graduate, Ella Williamson; Porthcawl undergraduates (Max Willams and Olivia Geddes) who are also studying climate.

You see them interview people in the street and then Ella takes the lead asking scientists about their concerns. (NRW Geoff Hobbs and Dr Peter Robins, School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University).

Working Together. Ep. 2.

Ella involves young people from Porthcawl Comprehensive school,

Amba, Ella and Will and they begin questioning local politicians:

Porthcawl town councillor Jonathan Pratt and Bridgend MS, Sarah Murphy.

Ella then meets Bridgend County Borough Council leader Cllr Huw David to see what he has to say. A brief explanation of PSB’s (Public Service Boards) and their importance to the Well-being of Future Generations Act in Wales is highlighted.

Bridgend-born Gareth Clubb, the Director of WWF Cymru, poses significant questions about how we are not dealing with climate change now and how we should respond. National Resources Wales’ Geoff Hobbs adds further comment. Ella stresses importance of more partnerships and good communications.

Positive Action. Ep. 3.

This film shows Ella finding some local good practice, illustrating that there are some positive developments, as she looks for answers to how we must react.

Gareth Clubb WWF states that politically there is insufficient attention paid to climate and nature crises.

The undergraduates ask for more government action recognizing some change is happening within their community.

The leader of Bridgend County Borough Council, Huw David, summaries some good initiatives in the Borough and how we need everyone to act now.

Geoff Dower, owner of the Hi Tide, Porthcawl outlines the benefits of the Photo Voltaics he has installed on the Hi Tide arcade.

Martyn Popham, from Cenin Renewables outlines the business at Stormy Down, Porthcawl and tells us that 90% of renewable energy from this site flows down into Porthcawl. (Couldn’t we highlight the fact that Porthcawl runs on renewable energy?)

Leanne Wood, a former politician, Co-Director, Community Energy Wales, advances the importance of more locally-produced energy for local people.

She also recommends that we stop waiting for politicians to act and that we create the changes in our own communities now and build pressure from the bottom up.

Members of North Wales Gwyrddni Community Climate Action tell us how they established a Citizen’s Assembly.

What actions can we as a community make to tackle the climate crisis and build community resilience? Do you think the Citizen’s Assembly model could work here?

Gareth Clubb, WWF, Max, Olivia and Ella all call for action together now.




This series of films is produced by charity Sustainable Wales and film company Mud & Thunder. It is financed by ‘Warm This Winter UK’, the ‘Postcode Lottery’ and Sustainable Wales and we are grateful for their and Climate Cymru’s support.