Plans to build a new hydrogen energy facility in Bridgend have been given the go-ahead after the removal of a Welsh Government holding direction.
The project to develop a new hydrogen production facility and solar energy scheme across two sites in Bryncethin and Brynmenyn was put forward by developers Marubeni Europower.
It faced significant opposition and public backlash from residents and councillors, who felt the development was set in an “inappropriate location”, with fears over the site’s proximity to businesses and nearby housing.
An earlier version of the application was also withdrawn after the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) lodged an objection over how hydrogen would be stored and transported at the site.
Despite these concerns, and with a new application handed in, the project was later granted a hazardous substance consent at a special Bridgend County Council planning committee in February.
At the same meeting, which lasted almost four hours and led to a number of heated exchanges between residents and officers, members also said they would be minded to approve planning permission on the recommendation of officers.
However, it was noted that the decision for the main consent would ultimately be made by the Welsh Government as a holding direction had been put in place.
At the council’s most recent planning committee meeting, updates on the application were given by officers, who said this holding direction had since been removed by the Welsh Government.
This meant Bridgend council’s initial decision, which said it was minded to approve the plans, would now be carried forward subject to conditions set out by planning officers.
Following the meeting, Councillor Mark John, of St Bride’s Minor and Ynysawdre, said he was “mortified” by the Welsh Government’s decision to remove the holding direction after such strong public sentiment against the plans.
