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Planning application

Land at and surrounding the Nant Helen Surface Mine site, Powys and Onllwyn Distribution Centre, Neath Port Talbot

Granted Neath Port Talbot P2021/0327 Outline Application

Works: Demolition

Permission granted. Work must normally begin within five years of the decision or the permission lapses.

Proposal

Development of a Global Centre of Rail Excellence, comprising of two test tracks of loop configuration including an electrified high speed rolling stock test track of 6.9km in length and an electrified low speed infrastructure test track of 4.5km, with overhead line equipment (OLE) and dual platform station test environment; together with operations and control offices (including staff accommodation and welfare), shunter cabins (2 no.), research and development, education and training, rolling stock storage sidings and maintenance/cleaning/decommissioning facilities; and associated, drainage, internal vehicular accesses, branch line rail connection, staff and visitor car parking, lighting, electrical infrastructure (including substations and lineside shore supplies and transformers), fencing (perimeter security, acoustic and stock proof), land reformation and hard and soft landscaping, together with demolition of existing buildings/structures (cross-boundary application - see Powys CC Application ref. 21/0559/OUT). (Additional Environmental Info: Revised ES Chapters, Figures, Appendices - Air Quality / Biodiversity)

As published by the council, reference P2021/0327

Application record

Reference
P2021/0327
Type
Outline Application
Status
Decided
Decision
Granted As published: Approved
Received
24 Mar 2021
Validated
29 Mar 2021
Decided
27 Jul 2021
Ward
Onllwyn
Parish
Onllwyn Community Council
Decision by
Committee Decision

Timeline

Dates from the published record

  1. 24 Mar 2021

    Received by Neath Port Talbot

  2. 29 Mar 2021

    Validated

    Checked as complete and ready for consideration.

  3. 27 Jul 2021

    Decision issued: Approved

  4. 16 Sep 2026

    Added to PlanIndex

Who's behind it

Company information only, from the register and Companies House

Arup Agent, registered in London

Active · incorporated 1990 · London

219 applications on PlanIndex · across 50 councils · 98% granted

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Documents

Plans, drawings, consultee responses and the officer's report

180 documents on file for this application

A planning file usually holds the application form, drawings and site plans, consultee responses, the officer's report and the decision notice.

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What this grant of permission means

Neath Port Talbot granted permission on 27 July 2021, subject to any conditions on the decision notice. Work must normally begin within five years or the permission lapses. More in our guide to what happens after a planning decision.

About outline applications

An outline application tests the principle of developing a site, holding back details such as appearance and landscaping as reserved matters for later approval. More in our guide to planning application types.

Nearby applications

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  • Nant Helen Surface Mine Coelbren Neath Powys

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    Awaiting decision Conditions 38 docs

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