Community Engagement
SSE Renewables places great importance on full and open engagement with local communities surrounding the development. A bilingual, locally based Community Liaison Officer Eluned Lewis has been appointed and is already actively engaging with communities, interest groups and individuals. She is based in the Machynlleth area, within easy reach of the immediately affected communities and will be in post throughout the development and construction stages.
The CLO is responsible for implementing the Nant-y-Moch community consultation process and has general responsibility for:
- Acting as the initial point of contact with local media , public and communities
- Ensuring timely responses to enquiries and concerns
- Preparation and distribution of project information packs
- Launch of the wind farm web site
- Formulation (working closely with the CLG) and implementation of a Community Engagement Plan
In addition to this a Community Liaison Group has been set up which is a forum for dialogue between SSE Renewables and local communities and key stakeholders, including representatives of the 7 Community Councils which include and surround the development and the 3 economic regeneration partnerships active in this area. The CLG meets on a quarterly basis and active (voting) members comprise one representative from the following organisations:
- Cadfarch Community Council (CC)
- Ysgubor-y-Coed CC
- Llangynfelyn CC
- Ceulanamaesmawr CC
- Trefeurig CC
- Melindwr CC
- Blaenrheidol CC
- Ecodyfi
- Pentir Pumlumon
- Menter Aberystwyth
- SSE Renewables
In addition the following have Observer Status (Non-Voting) Membership:
- An Independent Facilitator, chosen by the CLG members to chair the meetings
- Powys County Council
- Ceredigion County Council
- Forestry Commission Wales
- The Community Liaison Officer
- Dulas Ltd
The CLG has a very specific remit in representing local community views, particularly through its role in:
In forming and approving the 'Community Engagement Plan' (CEP) which is to be implemented by SSE Renewables during the development of the scheme and in the run up to submitting a planning application.
The CLG will also confirm through a review of SSE Renewables' activities that the CEP has been implemented as agreed, and it will publish a Statement of Community Involvement prior to the planning application confirming whether the CEP has been effectively delivered.
The Community Engagement Plan (CEP) sets out the methods, timing and transparency of SSE Renewables' commitments to consult with the principal communities, interest parties and wider public on the Nant y Moch Wind Farm throughout the lifecycle of its development. The CEP describes how SSE Renewables will release information to the public and approximate timescales of when such information is to be released. It also describes how the public's opinion will be taken into account in the development of the scheme.
Current best practice methods of community consultation have been adopted by SSE Renewables in the drafting of this CEP and it is hoped that the approach to community consultation on the Nant y Moch scheme will be regarded as a benchmark of best practice in the future.
Examples of the proposed community engagement practices in addition to the work of the CLO and CLG include the following:
- Launch of a project specific website, with feedback capability
- Public exhibitions at early and late stages of the development at representative locations around the site
- Presentations to interest groups and local community councils
- Leaflet distributions in the area
- Press releases and media contacts
You can read our Community Engagement Plan here.