The Welsh Government has taken the next step in creating what it calls a "groundbreaking destination" by submitting plans to demolish buildings at a Ministry of Defence site in south Wales and construct a new electricity substation.
Plans submitted to council
Welsh ministers have lodged proposals with the Vale of Glamorgan Council to demolish structures on land at Bro Tathan in St Athan and build a 132kv electricity substation. The site is part of the Bro Tathan aerospace park.
According to the applicant, "Bro Tathan is embarking on the next phase in its exciting evolution to create a groundbreaking destination for business offering a range of development and occupational opportunities."
Essential infrastructure
The substation is described as "required" to transform high-voltage electricity transmitted from Aberthaw Power Station into lower-voltage power suitable for local distribution across the site. Planning documents state: "This infrastructure is essential to provide a reliable and adequate electricity supply to a range of existing and proposed developments within the site enabling both current operations and future growth."
The documents add: "Provision of a robust power network will support a wider variety and scale of commercial and industrial uses helping to attract new businesses, diversify industry, and create a broader range of employment opportunities within the area."
Supporting growth
One of the aims is to provide a "reliable and robust power network" to support "current operations" and "future growth" of nearby Cardiff Airport and the St Athan Enterprise Zone. The site is described as brownfield land comprising "rough grass", scattered trees, areas of hardstanding, car parking, former sports pitches, roads and tracks, and "a range of buildings and structures associated with the former Royal Air Force and MoD operations".
Sustainability focus
The application reads: "At a national level Welsh Government are dedicated to achieving a low-carbon Wales that puts the welfare of people, the health of the economy, and the protection and enhancement of the natural environment front and centre." It continues: "Sustainability is a key priority for Bro Tathan. Long-term targets and enabling mechanisms such as skills development and planning arrangements will be put in place to drive sustainability, minimise Bro Tathan’s carbon footprint, and ultimately provide a better place to live and work."
Bro Tathan, formerly MoD St Athan, is a Welsh Government-owned site comprising both MoD facilities and civilian businesses.
