The site at Maerdy has several characteristics that will reduce the visibility of any windfarm on the site.

Forestry

The site is surrounded on three sides by coniferous forestry. This impedes views of the project from hill top roads where the project would otherwise be more visible.

View from A4233 Aberdare to Maerdy road:

Table Top topography

The proposal is located on a large flat plateau at the northern extreme of the Rhondda valleys.

The surrounding towns are located in steeply incised valleys. A “table top” effect is created by the topography such that views of the windfarm are restricted by its situation on the plateau.

View from Cemetry Road, Treorchy:

Distance

The site is at the northern margin of the Rhondda valleys away from the main conurbations. The nearest communities are 2km from the windfarm centre as shown in the plan below.

View from Maerdy towards factory:

Good Access and use of fewer, larger turbines

The favourable access at Maerdy permits the use of larger turbines. This reduces the number of turbines needed, and the speed of turbine rotation. The photomontages below show the same size project (24MW) using first several older and smaller turbines, and then with fewer, larger turbines.

View using eighteen 1.3MW turbines (24MW):

View using eight 3MW turbines (24MW):

The smaller number of turbines also allow for less tracks and reduces and risk of any ecological impact.