Overview
BSG Ecology was commissioned by EDF Renewables UK to attempt to resolve ornithological concerns with regard to the proposed 17 turbine Garn Fach Wind Farm, near Llanbadarn Fynydd, Powys.
BSG worked with the consultant team to engage with Natural Resources Wales (NRW) through meetings, input to a Supplementary Environmental Information (SEI) report to respond to comments on the Environmental Statement, and respond to NRW’s further comments on the SEI. BSG Director Owain Gabb then acted as the ornithological lead at the hearing, responding to comments made by the Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust and other questions raised by the planning inspector.
The scheme was consented in October 2024.
Challenge
BSG Ecology were engaged by EDF Renewables UK following the receipt of stakeholder comments on the Environmental Statement for the Garn Fach Wind Farm.
Consultation indicated that NRW were concerned that red kite, peregrine and merlin using the proposed wind farm site had potential to be part of the Elenydd Mallaen Special Protection Area (SPA) population . Other key concerns from NRW were the approach taken to collision risk analysis, and impacts on curlew.
Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust raised wider concerns regarding the application, commenting on potential impacts on various raptors, including red kite and kestrel, breeding curlew and passage golden plover.
Solution
BSG worked with the project ornithologists to address the issues raised, initially through a meeting with NRW and input to a detailed SEI report that addressed their points of concern. Following receipt of additional comment from NRW, BSG then co-ordinated a further letter response. While NRW did not formally agree common ground on ornithology prior to the hearing, which they attended, they did not object, submit any further comment or indicate to the inspector that they took issue with any of the answers given to his questions.
The points made by the Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust in their letter were raised by the inspector. These were variously responded to or rebutted by BSG Director Owain Gabb, with reference to information contained in the ES Chapter and SEI.
Outcome
The Garn Fach Wind Farm was consented in October 2024.
The Inspector’s report noted that based on the responses provided at the hearing with regard to the points raised by the Wildlife Trust, and the lack of objection on ornithological grounds by NRW or the local planning authority ecologist he considered the “identified effects would not be unacceptably harmful.”