Last week, Bridgend Council’s Planning Committee met to decide the planning application and hazardous substances consent for the Hybont project at Bryncethin and Brynmenyn.
As there’s a lot of interest in this – and it’s going to be one of the most controversial planning applications of the current council term – it’s covered in more detail than usual.
You can move between the different sections by clicking next or by using the drop-down menu.
TL;DR: It was granted permission on both counts; the final decision is up to the Welsh Government – skip to the final section for more.
The entire, almost four hour, meeting is available to watch here.
There has been organised opposition to Hybont from the start, with several protests being held.
There were no objections from statutory consultees, but formal objections were submitted by St Bride’s Minor Community Council, Cllr. Tim Thomas (Ind, St Bride’s Minor & Ynysawdre) and Chris Elmore MP (Lab, Bridgend).
While not explicitly objecting to the proposal, Huw Irranca-Davies MS (Lab, Ogmore) noted concerns from local businesses about access along Squire Drive.
The accompanying report (pdf) says that over 250 objections were made by residents and businesses. You can read the full list in the report itself. In summary, the objections include:
- Proper process hasn’t been followed. Objections in the pre-planning application process have been ignored, and environmental consents are yet to be sought. There are also inconsistencies in the energy profile of the electrolysers (the technology used to create hydrogen from treated water).
- Bridgend Council has a conflict of interest as a landowner and BCBC has failed to offer alternative sites.
- General safety concerns about hydrogen as a fuel (which is flammable as well as explosive under pressure); there are no emergency response plans or explosives assessments accompanying the application.
- The corporate history of Marubeni includes convictions for bribery, as well as environmental and health & safety violations.
- Noise, air pollution, nuisance and traffic would affect residents and businesses.
- The knock-on impact of other energy-related developments (“Bridgend Energy Hub”) in and around Junction 36 of the M4.
- Biodiversity assessments are flawed and land was cleared before assessments were carried out.
- The hydrogen plant is unlikely to meet all of its energy demands from the solar farm alone, making it less “green” than claimed. Carbon emission reduction estimates are insignificant (said to be the equivalent of one year’s savings over 25 years).
- There are no benefits for the local community, with as few as 6 jobs created. There’s no proven local demand for hydrogen fuel.
- There are former mine workings in the area as well as a high-pressure gas pipe.
During the meeting, Cllr. Mark John (Ind, St Bride’s Minor & Ynysawdre) noted a separate application in the same area, which raised an objection from an apprentice town planner for the Coal Authority over shallow coal workings and outcrops. There was also no reference to a possible 50% increase in traffic at Squire Drive either, despite it being a “massive material issue”.
Another objector said honey buzzards have nested in trees near the site and may not return once the plant is up and running. The clay pits were also a valued local open space.
The next objector said the project was not financially viable. There was no demand for hydrogen locally and rumours about Rockwool being interested in hydrogen supply have turned out to be “mythical”.
Other objectors noted that the expected traffic increases violated local planning policies, that there would be a net loss of jobs if local businesses closed as a result of the development and that an alternative site should’ve been selected away from built-up areas.
