ScottishPower Renewables will be consulting on updates to the proposed Dyfnant Forest Windfarm in Powys from late January until mid March this year. The site is owned by the Welsh Government Woodland Estate and is within a Strategic Search Area identified by the Welsh Assembly Government for windfarm development.

Since 2008, ScottishPower Renewables has been working on plans to develop a windfarm at Dyfnant Forest. Early stage public consultations in 2011 were based on a project of up to 35 turbines, with a tip height of up to 185m.

Following detailed studies and assessment, ScottishPower Renewables has made a number of changes to its original proposal, and is now seeking feedback from local communities and environmental organisations. The changes include:

• Reducing the number of wind turbines from 35 to 32
• Decreasing the height of the wind turbines from 185m to 145m
• Increasing the distance between wind turbines and designated footpaths and bridleways, and from residential properties
• Ensuring that existing recreation trails can remain open during operation of the windfarm

Helen Peake, Project Manager at ScottishPower Renewables, said: “Dyfnant Forest has the potential to accommodate a windfarm that could make a significant contribution to the carbon reduction targets of Wales and the UK. It is located in a Strategic Search Area that has been designated for windfarm developments, but it is extremely important that any development is designed as sensitively as possible to the surrounding environment.

“We have carried out detailed studies over a number of years to determine the best design for a windfarm development in this location and significant modifications have been made to our original proposals for the project. We want to encourage local communities to review the extensive environmental information available on the website, at local libraries and at information days, and to fill in a feedback from, so that their views can be fully taken in to account before a final application is submitted to the Planning Inspectorate.”

ScottishPower Renewables plan to hold public information days on the following dates:

• Banwy Community Centre, Wed 20 Feb 3pm until 7.30pm
• Dinas Mawddwy Village Hall, Thur 21 Feb 3pm until 7.30pm
• Llanfair Caereinion Public Institute, Fri 22 Feb 3pm until 7.30pm
• Llanwddyn Community Centre, Sat 23 Feb 10am until 2pm