Photo of the dome of the Radnor Fforest, an ancient enclosure once used as a hunting ground.
Late in 2019, a number of landowners in Penybont, Llandegley, New Radnor and Dolau were approached by a representative of Bute Energy Limited to participate in a local wind farm development they referred to as Fron Goch.
It was said that Fron Goch wind farm would form the southern tip of a much larger “energy park” starting from Fron Goch at The Bends along the A44 near the Scheduled ancient monument Crug Eryr Mound ('Eagles Mound') which would include Llan-Evan Hill and Cowlod as it extended northward above Penybont Common towards Newtown. It was mentioned that the energy park would comprise some 26 industrial wind turbines, along with solar arrays and diesel generators.
Although a portion of the proposed energy park would lie within the boundaries of Priority Area 6 of the Welsh Government’s highly problematic Draft National Development Framework (NDF), a vast section would extend far beyond that area and include most of the Radnor Fforest where legend has it, the last Dragon in Wales sleeps.
Map © Brecon & Radnor Branch of Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales 2019. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2018. Contains Natural Resources Wales information © Natural Resources Wales and Database Right. All rights Reserved. Contains Natural England information © Natural England 2019. Wind & Solar Priority Areas digitised from Welsh Government document “Draft National Development Framework”.
We have made inquiries with Powys County Council and the Welsh Government, which confirmed our understanding that the Radnor Fforest had indeed been deliberately excluded from the Priority Areas indentified for the draft NDF due to it's high value as a public space of outstanding natural beauty which draws people from near and far to experience the expansive views and tranquilty. The ancient landscape of Radnor Fforest with its Dragon legend, is regarded as very special sacred place which must be preserved in perpetuity for future generations.
Such a large scheme would necessarily involve the devastation of vast tracts of the beautiful hills and vales of the Radnor Fforest area with its ancient monuments and protected species. This would have a serious detrimental impact upon the environment and biodiversity, along with tourism which, next to farming, the economy of the area is dependent upon. As the primary ‘Gateway to Wales’ from Hereford, the proposed energy park would be located adjacent to the A44 route to the coast which has been described as follows:
The surrounding countryside is breathtaking, and the drive from Presteigne to Aberystwyth was voted one of the ten most beautiful drives in the world by the AA.
In January 2016 it was reported by ITV that Wales was named "one of the top 10 countries to visit in the world, by leading travel guide 'Rough Guides’.”
Whilst some of the local landowners were directly approached by the developers themselves, others were contacted by estate agents such as McCartneys. The apparent object of the exercise was to get as many of the local farmers as possible to sign exclusivity contracts for the use of their land.
Financial incentives based upon a per turbine annual income have been dangled like carrots before the landowners. Apparently, when some of the landowners compared notes they realised that the offers amongst them were not equitable which, understandably, is said to have caused some upset.
Bute Energy Limited was already famliar to us through Hendy Wind Farm director and developer, Stephen Radford who was also a director of Bute Energy Limited until he resigned on December 19, 2019.
When local landowners were first approached, Bute Energy was operating in partnership with Njord Energy Limited, and a Scottish investment company called Grayling Capital.
The partnership between Bute Energy, Grayling Capital and Njord was confirmed by the Bute Energy website on 21 March 2020, when the following screenshot was taken which says:
Bute Energy is a partnership between Grayling Capital and Njord. Founded in 2018, the two organisations brought together their knowledge and skills together to deliver in the cleaner and safer energy.
Grayling Capital, [is] an investment group based in Edinburgh. Njord has 30 years of experience in the renewable energy sector.
Bute Energy will apply decades of experience and expertise to harness the power of wind and we will help power the green economy with highly skilled jobs.
If one tries to find the website for Bute Energy today, it appears to have been removed from the internet. Fortunately, we archived the "Who we are" page depicted above when the screenshot was taken.
As we know from our involvement with Hendy Wind Farm, Stephen Radford and his wife, are the directors of Njord Energy Limited which, with their other partners, is also behind the highly controversial Hendy Wind Farm development.
According to Companies House, Grayling Capital LLP was incorporated, August 22, 2017 and describes itself as follows on their website:
WE INVEST IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
Grayling Capital is a private investment group based in Edinburgh. We focus on investments in sustainable industries.
We are currently developing a portfolio of onshore wind and solar power assets in the UK.
The team also has extensive expertise in real estate. From 2012-18 the team acquired, asset managed and disposed of a 40 asset £175m UK commercial real estate portfolio, delivering a Geared IRR of 32.9%.
Given the incorporation date for Grayling Capital on Companies House is 22 August 2017, it's curious that they indicate the team has acquired assets since 2012.
We have taken a close look at the Grayling Capital team members who are described as having "a depth of experience in Private Equity, Finance and Real Estate Investment", along with their numerous associated companies. Of particular note is that three new companies were incorporated this past week which may well be related to Fron Goch wind farm and the energy park they propose for the Radnor Fforest area.
The new companies are:
1. Calon y Cymoedd Energy Park Limited (12576991) 29 April 2020;
2. Calon y Canolbarth Energy Park Limited (12576992) 29 April 2020;
3. Calon y Bryn Energy Park Limited (12580599) 30 April 2020.
Representatives of Grayling Capital were apparently making regular (weekly) visits from Edinburgh to meet with landowners from December 2019 until mid-March 2020 when the UK went into lockdown. Although physical visits are not currently being made to the area, it is likely that contact continues by other means, particularly since we understand that they are looking for other potential sites to be developed in historic Radnorshire and Mid Wales.
If you compare this feature image from Grayling Capital's website with the photo at the top of the page you will understand why we vehemently oppose the developer's plans and will do everything we can to stop this not clean nor green industrial wind farm and energy park from destroying our precious farm land, wild landscapes and wide open spaces of the Radnor Fforest with its rich biodiversity which attracts visitors from around the world.
Further information about this situation will be provided in due course.