‘Big gap’ in funding to restore opencast mines

Published

8 months ago

April 25, 2024

A FUNDING gap of tens of millions is thwarting efforts to restore opencast mines – and public authorities in Wales must clamp down on corporate greed, a committee heard.

The Senedd’s climate change committee began taking evidence for an inquiry on restoration of opencast mines amid concerns about Ffos y Fran in Merthyr Tydfil.

Carl Banton, operations director at the Coal Authority, said the public body tries to broker the best restoration possible but the primary problem is a lack of funding.

He told the committee that £50m is available for restoration work at Ffos y Fran, which closed in November, but it will cost anywhere from £75m to £125m – “a big, big gap in funding”.

Mr Banton said East Pit and Margam regeneration plans suffered from a similar shortfall.

“One of the big issues now is the amount of water that is in those voids,” he said, warning that pumping the water out is a “huge undertaking” potentially costing tens of millions itself.

Mr Banton explained that councils are the primary authority for regulation of surface mines through planning and the Coal Authority has a role in terms of licensing mining operations.

Raising 2016 best practice guidance on restoring surface coal mines, Mr Banton said: “The idea of this was to try to prevent the situation we are currently in.”

Mr Banton warned that the amounts held by councils in escrow in case a company goes into insolvency are “nowhere near sufficient” for restoration plans.

The operations director said the Coal Authority offered guidance to Merthyr Tydfil council around escrow in 2016 “but they chose not to go down that route”.

Mark Drakeford suggested the UK Government’s remit for the Coal Authority – to maximise the extraction of coal – is in stark conflict with Wales’ policy of minimising use of fossil fuels.

Mr Banton told the former First Minister a planned review of the remit has not taken place.

On Ffos y Fran, he said the Coal Authority wrote to the Welsh Government in October to raise the risks in terms of public safety and the need to act sooner rather than later.

Mr Drakeford raised concerns about an inspection which found the company was mining beyond the Ffos y Fran site boundary without planning permission.

Mr Banton said the Coal Authority reinspected in August, finding the company was still mining outside the permitted area, and began enforcement action in September.

Delyth Jewell, for Plaid Cymru, raised concerns about Merthyr Tydfil council’s suggestion that the void filled with contaminated water could form part of a restored site.

Mr Banton said a hydrogeological assessment will be required to ensure the water is safe.

Daniel Therkelsen, from the Coal Action Network, attributed a lack of restoration in Wales to legislative weakness and corporate greed.

The campaigner said Celtic Energy’s sites have been left in a dire state, with a judge finding the actions of the company were reprehensible but not illegal.

Mr Therkelsen said the Fros y Fran site operator, Merthyr (South Wales) Limited, has paid out nearly £50m in dividends and shares since 2016.

Marcus Bailie, an Extinction Rebellion Cymru activist, similarly raised alarm about private profit coming at the expense of public and planetary good.

Pointing to East Pit and Margam as examples of poorly restored sites, Mr Therkelsen said people nearby continue to call for restoration to “some sort of semblance of what it was”.

Friends of the Earth Cymru director Haf Elgar said campaigners have been raising concerns about Ffos y Fran for years as she urged the council and Welsh Government to intervene.

She said: “It’s been quite difficult to get information out of the local authority – whether that’s about ensuring local communities are consulted or basic planning documents.”

Mr Therkelsen said responses have been protracted, accusing the council of “blocking” public scrutiny on one hand while holding weekly meetings with the operator on the other.

He warned that the 14 to 16 months of illegal mining at Ffos y Fran saw around 600,000 tonnes of coal extracted, leading to an estimated 428 climate-related deaths.

He said: “Nothing happens to them – there are no consequences. Not one penny of the company’s profits have been touched despite mining illegally for over a year.”

David Kilner, campaign coordinator at Climate Cymru, said restoration plans for Fros-y-fran will likely be deeply insufficient considering the funding shortfall.

Ms Elgar raised concerns about the risk of plans for Bedwas tip “opening the door” to another industry of extracting coal in exchange for a promise of restoration.

Llyr Gruffydd, who chairs the committee, criticised Merthyr Tydfil council which refused to give in-person evidence on April 24, submitting two pages of written evidence instead.

Merthyr (South Wales) Ltd has been invited to give evidence to the committee on May 9.

Impact of Storm Darragh on NRW’s woodland estate ‘significant’

Published

3 days ago

December 15, 2024

Tom Sinclair

AS THE NATION continues to recover from the significant impacts of Storm Darragh’s 90mph winds and rainfall (7 and 8 December), Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is continuing the challenging task of assessing the damage to its forests and nature reserves and working hard to restore its sites for visitors to return.

NRW’s land managers have been working hard across Wales to assess the damage to the land in its care, prioritising clearing trees from forest roads that have blocked forest resident access to their homes, and enabling emergency services and utilities to restore power and services to the public.

Early indications are that the impact on the Welsh Government Woodland Estate is significant with large areas of trees fallen in widespread areas across Wales.

Many kilometres of forest roads, walking trails and mountain bike routes are obstructed by fallen trees and branches and it will take time to clear them.

While this important work to restore access to trails continues, people are currently advised not to travel to NRW’s forests and reserves. While visitor centres are re-opening following the storm, people should check NRW’s website before planning a visit as car parks and other facilities may need to be closed at short notice as recovery operations continue.

The recovery work will focus on making sure trails and forest roads are accessible. Visitors should follow any instructions given by signs or local staff, including any trail diversions or closures and beware of the dangers of falling trees and branches.

Gavin Bown, Head of Operations Mid Wales for NRW, said: “Storm Darragh impacted communities right across Wales, with thousands of homes experiencing power cuts, and communities impacted by fallen trees and flooding. Our sympathies go out to those affected.

“The storm has taken a significant toll on the land in our care as well. A huge amount of work went into preparing for and responding to Storm Darragh, and the improved weather this week has allowed us to start the long road to recovery.

“We’re inspecting our sites to assess the damage, and our land managers and contractors are prioritising work to clear blocked roads and trails. But this will take some time. The impacts we have seen will likely affect planned forest and harvesting operations for years to come.

“While we’re undertaking that important work to get your trails back to normal, those who use them for recreation are advised not to travel to our sites at this time.

“We are providing the latest information about the status of specific sites and trails on our website, and on our social media channels. You should always follow any instructions given by signs or local staff including any trail diversions or closures, and beware of the danger of falling trees or branches.”

Information about closures or diversion at NRW’s visitor centres, forests and nature reserves can be found online at https://naturalresources.wales/days-out/places-to-visit/

Climate

Push to speed up planning process ‘risks sidelining public opinion’

Published

7 days ago

December 12, 2024

Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter

CHANGES to planning law risk sidelining the voice of the public in decisions on significant new energy projects, Senedd Members warned.

Plaid Cymru’s Luke Fletcher said accountability in planning decisions will be undermined by new regulations on major projects, known as developments of national significance (DNS).

Mr Fletcher told the Senedd the regulations will raise the threshold at which energy projects are decided by Welsh ministers from 10MW to 50MW, marking a fundamental shift.

The shadow economy secretary said: “Projects that could have considerable impacts on communities, landscapes and ecosystems will now receive less scrutiny, with the decision making process potentially expedited at the expense of … thorough democratic oversight.

“While we recognise the need for efficiency in the planning system, this cannot come at the cost of transparency and community involvement.”

Plaid Cymru MS Luke Fletcher — Plaid Cymru’s shadow economy secretary, Luke Fletcher

Mr Fletcher told the Senedd that energy projects under 50MW can have profound effects, so it is vital communities have a meaningful voice.

“Yet these regulations risk sidelining that voice in the interests of speed and convenience,” he warned as he called on the Welsh Government to reconsider the reforms.

Raising concerns about the transfer of decision-making powers from Welsh ministers to appointed inspectors, he said: “Public confidence in the planning process depends on a system that is not only efficient but fair, transparent and open to challenge.”

He supported action to meet net-zero targets but said this must be done in a way that respects the rights of communities and safeguards the natural environment.

Mr Fletcher told the debating chamber or Siambr: “By prioritising speed over scrutiny, these regulations fail to strike that right balance.”

Rebecca Evans, cabinet secretary for economy, energy and planning

But Rebecca Evans, Wales’ economy secretary, said: “I’m afraid Plaid Cymru seems to have completely misunderstood the regulations which are being debated today.

“The application and determination process doesn’t change at all with the delegation of determinations to inspectors. The community engagement statutory consultees and the policy framework all remain exactly the same.”

Ms Evans, who is responsible for planning and energy, added: “Just to emphasise again that there is no change whatsoever to requirements around community engagement….

“So, the fundamental objection that Plaid Cymru has … doesn’t have any foundation at all.”

She said the regulations are an interim arrangement until the Infrastructure Act, which was passed by the Senedd this year, comes into force in September 2025.

The consenting process for major infrastructure projects will be overhauled under the Act, with the DNS system replaced by a streamlined regime.

The Senedd voted 36-12 in favour of the regulations which will come into force in January.

Climate

Pembrokeshire group plans for larger community wind turbine

Published

4 weeks ago

November 22, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A NORTH Pembrokeshire group which has raised more than £76,000 from its community wind turbine for local projects is hoping to expand with a bigger turbine.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Abergwaun Community Turbine Ltd, through agent Machynlleth-based Dulas Ltd is hoping to get permission for a larger turbine to replace the existing Abergwaun Community Turbine.

The proposed turbine, in a pasture field at Trebover Farm, to the south of Fishguard, would be 67m tall, the existing 2015 one being 45 metres.

In supporting statements, parent company Transition Bro Gwaun said: “The Community Climate Fund (CCF) is the mechanism by which Transition Bro Gwaun (TBG) is fulfilling our ambition of funding projects in Fishguard, Goodwick and across North Pembrokeshire, using income from the community wind turbine.

“The core themes for grants are climate change mitigation and adaptation, enhancement of biodiversity and improvements to community resilience through promotion of community engagement and resource sharing.”

In 2015, TBG raised its 50 per cent share of capital funding for the project by means of loans from 28 local individuals and four community groups, contributing a total of £286,500, the other 50 per cent contributed by landowners Parc-y-Morfa Farms Ltd.

The statement added: “Profit generated by sale of electricity from the turbine is split 50:50 between TBG and Parcy-Morfa Farms Ltd through the jointly owned trading arm, Abergwaun Community Turbine. By the end of 2022, all loans had been repaid, allowing the launch of TBG’s Community Climate Fund. This year we have awarded our third round of grants bringing the total amount granted to £76,036.”

In 2022, £15,274 was awarded to seven projects, including Fishguard Sports AFC to install solar panels on their clubhouse as part of their Tregroes Park development, Ysgol Bro Gwaun for their Increasing Biodiversity and Bees project, and Nevern Valley Veg / Llysiau Cwm Nyfer to install a solar powered vegetable irrigation scheme.

In 2023, £39,85 was made available for seven projects, including Sea Trust Wales to part fund the installation of solar panels on the Ocean Lab roof and to produce a display on solar technology, Letterston Memorial Hall to part fund the installation of an air source heat pump heating system, and Fishguard and Goodwick Rugby Club to install solar panels on their clubhouse.

2024 awards of £20,917 were made to six projects, including Theatr Gwaun to insulate their loft to reduce heating loss, Parc Cerrig Growers for developing a rainwater harvesting system with a pond to irrigate their allotments, Caerhys Organic Community Agriculture for an electric cargo bike for delivering organic vegetables in the Fishguard and St Davids areas, and Nevern Valley Veg to develop wildlife ponds and rainwater harvesting for food production.

The supporting documentation concludes: “The repowering of the existing turbine at Trebover would require a limited increase in turbine size which would result in a very limited change in landscape and visual effects in comparison to the existing Trebover turbine.”

The application will be considered by planners at a later date.