Introduction

This Pre-Application Consultation relates to the intention of Firstway Energy (on behalf of Net Zero Twenty Five Limited) to submit to the local planning authority (Rhondda Cynon Taff Borough Council) a full planning application for an Energy Storage System (ESS), together with associated infrastructure, site levelling works, site access, landscaping and ancillary works on Land at Maes Bach on the Maesmawr Road, Pontypridd, CF38 1SL.

This development will be for a temporary period of 40 years and includes the construction of an Energy Storage System and associated infrastructure. This land is located adjacent to the Maes Bach solar farm and other adjacent land has recently been awarded permission for a larger scale solar farm, Elgin Energy Site.

There is nationwide support and focus on decarbonising and tackling the climate emergency of which renewable energies (and their storage) are a key part. Rhondda Cynon Taf’s Corporate Plan sets ambition for the Council to be carbon neutral by 2030. Furthermore, Planning Policy Wales Edition 12 (2024) acknowledges the importance integrating renewable energy generation with storage and that the planning system should optimise energy storage.

Submitted documents

You are invited to view the draft planning application submission below and provide your comments on the proposals in advance of the formal planning submission:

• Covering letter
• Completed and dated application forms and associated certificates;
• Planning and Design and Access Statement
• Application Plans & Drawings;
  • Site Location Plan
  • Existing Site Layout Plan
  • Proposed Site Layout Plan
  • 132kV Substation (Plan)
  • 132kV Substation (Section)
  • DNO Control Room
  • 40ft storage container
  • 40 ft customer switchgear
  • 40 ft welfare office
  • Hybrid ESS unit
  • Twin skid (TX)
  • PCSK inverter
  • ESS interface cabinet
  • Aux transformer
  • 180,000L water tank
  • Water hydrant
  • CCTV camera and pole
  • 2.4m palisade fence and security gate
  • Access track
• Archaeological and Heritage Desk-Based Assessment by Tetra Tech;
  • Part 1
  • Part 2
  • Part 3
• Construction Traffic Management Plan by Ardent Consulting Engineers;
• Noise Assessment by Ardent Consulting Engineers;
• Flood Consequence Assessment (including drainage strategy) by Ardent Consulting Engineers;
  • Part 1
  • Part 2
• Arboricultural Impact Assessment by Barton Hyett Associates;
• Tree Survey by Barton Hyett Associates;
• Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment by Richard Hammond Landscape Architect Ltd;
  • Part 1
  • Part 2
  • Part 3
  • Part 4
  • Part 5
  • Part 6
  • Part 7
• Illustrative Landscape Masterplan by Richard Hammond Landscape Architect Ltd;
• Ecological Impact Assessment by engain;
• Outline Energy Storage System Safety Management Plan by Firstway Energy.

Have your say

If you would like to comment on this proposal in advance of the planning application being submitted, please e-mail us at [email protected] or complete the survey which can be found here: feedback survey.

The closing date for the receipt of responses is midnight on Tuesday 10^th December 2024

Any personal information provided as part of this consultation will be managed in accordance with our privacy policy.