Leading UK renewable energy company RES has submitted a planning application to Monmouthshire County Council to build two turbines on land 500 metres to the south west of the M4 motorway and Severn Bridge Toll facility.
The Great House Farm project will see the area’s natural wind resources used to produce enough clean, green electricity each year to meet the annual demand of at least 800 homes - which is equivalent of all the homes in the neighbouring villages of Redwick and Rogiet. The project could potentially meet the average electricity needs of up to 1,600 homes, depending on final turbine selection.
This submission follows that of a separate planning application for a single turbine four kilometres away at Longlands Lane which was accepted for consideration by neighbouring Newport City Council in October.
Phil Grant, RES’ Project Manager for the Great House Farm proposal, commented: “RES is pleased to have submitted proposals to Monmouthshire County Council for what could be the first wind energy project in the county. The location of the turbines near the gateway to Wales would clearly demonstrate the council’s commitment to the Welsh Assembly and UK ambitions to generate 15% of its energy consumption from renewable sources by 2020. It would also exploit Monmouthshire’s objectives to support economic development and contribute to carbon reduction and renewable energy utilisation targets.
“Our pre-application consultation over the past few months has been invaluable in understanding the opinions of local residents and key stakeholders. The feedback has been very encouraging, with 85% of
respondents at the public exhibitions indicating that they were neutral or in favour of using wind energy to generate electricity, which we hope will be reflected in the project receiving a positive local decision.”
RES submitted the planning application for Great House Farm to Monmouthshire County Council following comprehensive consultation with local communities and a series of conjoined public exhibitions regarding the two proposed sites in South East Wales, held consecutively in Undy, Rogiet and Redwick in September.
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A decision on the application is expected in spring next year.