The alarming news is that developers have submitted a planning application to build a dam on the Afon Cynfal near Llan Ffestiniog and divert as much as 70% of the available water around the iconic waterfall of Rhaeadr y Cwm, as part of a hydro-electric scheme.
Three times over the past thirty years plans have been submitted for a hydro-electric scheme in Cwm Cynfal. Three times they have been either refused or withdrawn. But in July the developers formally submitted another application. The deadline for objections is 20 September.
Yes, I’ll help I want to raise my voice against the plan
Painting of the waterfall by David Cox
A place that has inspired storytellers, artists and poets
Cwm Cynfal is a place that has inspired storytellers, artists and poets over a millennium. It is one of Eryri’s most majestic waterfalls. But now it is being threatened once again by a hydro-electric scheme that would see the river dammed and as much as 70% of the available water diverted out of the waterfall.
The gorge is highly protected under wildlife legislation, a Site of Special Scientific Interest within a National Park. It’s designated partly for the rare mosses and liverworts that can be found there. If you divert that much water out of the waterfall, that will change the very wet conditions that make the gorge so special.
We’re concerned about the visual appearance, the sound and impressiveness of the waterfall, the wildlife that lives in the gorge and also the damage to this very historic site with its medieval trackways.
We strongly support the need to decarbonise the economy. But with any renewable energy scheme, you have to weigh the damage against the benefits. This scheme would produce relatively little electricity, enough to power just 60 power showers. Its 600kW capacity would be only about 8% of just one of the 7.2MW turbines at the proposed Y Bryn windfarm between Maesteg and Port Talbot.
You can help protect the waterfall
The developers themselves carried out a pre-application consultation at the end of last year. The response to that, which are included as part of the planning application, confirm that the vast majority of those who took part do not support the scheme. Though the figures are difficult to extract from the paper submitted to the National Park Authority, 359 individuals or organisations took part. 276 noted that they did not support the application. 181 of those opposed were local to the Eryri National Park, Gwynedd or North Wales. Only 3 noted that they supported the development.
In addition, the conservation organisations Save our Rivers, Buglife and the North Wales Wildlife Trust are all working with us to oppose these plans. Will you help the campaign by sending a formal letter of objection to the planning application?
Rory Francis
Director Cymdeithas Eryri Snowdonia Society
