Council to decide on plans for controversial hydrogen plant

Lewis Smith, local democracy reporter

A local authority is set to decide on plans for a controversial hydrogen project at a meeting next month.

The meeting will see members of Bridgend council decide on the future of the planned Hybont hydrogen and solar energy scheme, which would be set across two sites in Bryncethin and Brynmenyn, on October 17.

If approved, the project could see a hydrogen production facility built by developers Marubeni Europower Ltd on Brynmenyn Industrial Estate.

The plans would also include hydrogen storage, electrolysers, hydrogen refuelling station and a solar farm.

Pipeline

However, it was noted in the latest report to the planning committee that the application had been amended to remove a proposed hydrogen pipeline, with the addition of an acoustic wall around the plant.

The scale of opposition to the proposals means the meeting will also include a site visit by members, before they return to the council’s civic offices on Angel Street, Bridgend, to hear representations from councillors, officers, and members of the public at 2pm.

In the past, these plans have led to a major backlash from residents, with protests held outside the council’s offices due to what they said was a lack of clarity, and safety concerns with the facility’s proximity to local housing in the village of Bryncethin.

Officers noted the plans were subject to a call-in request with the Welsh Government having issued a “holding direction” over them, meaning as it stands, unless this direction is removed, Bridgend council can only reject the plans but not to approve.

Officers explained the “complicated” situation where the council could reject the plans, but would only be able to say what they were minded to do in the event that they wanted to approve them.

The meeting, which is the latest turn in a long-running saga over the proposed facility will be held on Thursday, October 17, with both the applicant and objectors given 10 minutes to speak alongside local town and county borough councillors.