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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)

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

DecidedReference: P2021/0327Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council

Last published check: 2 Oct 2026, 04:36. Check the council record for more recent changes.

Application location

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

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Application summary

Status
Decided
Application type
Outline Application
Received
24 Mar 2021
Validated
29 Mar 2021
Determination deadline
23 May 2021
Local authority
Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council

Application overview

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)

Proposal details

Reference
P2021/0327
Alternative references
PP-09475205
Ward
Onllwyn
Parish
Onllwyn Community Council
Agent
Arup

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Documents 184 of 184

DocumentPublishedAction
Decision Notice - Revision 5DecisionNot publishedView
Decision Notice REV 4DecisionNot publishedView
Decision Notice REVISION 3DecisionNot publishedView
Decision Notice REVISION 2DecisionNot publishedView
Decision Notice REVISION 1DecisionNot publishedView
NRW 2nd ResponseConsultee InNot publishedView
FURTHER ENVTL INFO - WG NotificationPublicityNot publishedView
NPT - Information for re-consultation Cover Letter_June 2021Supporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 7J Wintering Bird Survey ReportSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 7T Calculations of Habitat loss, gain and retained habitatsSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 7I Breeding Bird Survey ReportSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
003B Illustrative Masterplan Issue 02_reducedSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 7L Bat Roost Survey ReportSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 7B Existing BaselineSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 1.6B Illustrative Masterplan Issue 02_reducedSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 7S Evaluation of Future Baseline versus Existing BaselineSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 7W Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA)Supporting DocumentNot publishedView
ES Vol II TOC - June 2021Supporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 7A Sources of Baseline DataSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 7P Bat Activity ReportSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 7X Response to LPA ecology chapter commentsSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 7V Table of broad ecosystems and effects on ecosystem resilienceSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 7R - Soil Sampling Technical NoteSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
ES Volume I - Main Text - Combined - UPDATED Chptrs 7 and 14 - 23.6.2021Supporting DocumentNot publishedView
003A Illustrative Masterplan Issue 02_reducedSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 7Q Classification and Evaluation of Habitats within the Existing BaselineSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 7U Evaluation of Impacts on Important Ecological ReceptorsSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 7C Extended Phase 1 Habitat SurveySupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 1.6A Illustrative Masterplan Issue 02_reducedSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 7O Arboreal Mammal Survey ReportSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 7E Fungi Survey ReportSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 7N Dormouse Survey ReportSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 7F Invertebrate ReportSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 7K Riparian Mammal Survey ReportSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
NRW Response Letter - June 2021Supporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 7.9 Habitat Creation And Enhancement - Habitats_P01_4Supporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 7H Reptile Survey ReportSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 7G Amphibian Survey ReportSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 7D NVC Survey ReportSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
National Grid Response - No objectionConsultee InNot publishedView
Mid & West Wales Fire rescue ResponseConsultee InNot publishedView
NRW - P2021 0327 GCRE Nant HelenConsultee InNot publishedView
Brecon Beacons Nat Park ResponseConsultee InNot publishedView
WG / Trunk Road Agency ResponseConsultee InNot publishedView
CADW ResponseConsultee InNot publishedView
DCWW ResponseConsultee InNot publishedView
Coal Authority ResponseConsultee InNot publishedView
GGAT ResponseConsultee InNot publishedView
Published Press notice 30-03-2021PublicityNot publishedView
GCRE Planning Design and Access Statement_re-issueSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 3A - outline CEMPSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
SUPERSEDED Appendix 7N Bat Activity ReportSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
SUPERSEDED Appendix 7E Amphibian Survey ReportSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 6A Geotechnical Desk Study_2of3 (Appen A and B)Supporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 12.2 Common LandSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 7.5 Extended Phase1 Habitat Map PUBLICSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 10.2 Noise Emissions EveningSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
SUPERSEDED Figure 7.9 Habitat Creation And Enhancement - HabitatsSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 8.1 Designated Heritage AssetsSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 7.11 Future Baseline Habitats Nant Helen 2 of 3Supporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 7.10 Habitat Evaluation Future Baseline 1 of 3Supporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 7.7 Habitat Suitability for FungiSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 1.4 Site Access And Bridge CrossingsSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 1.5 Proposed Demolished BuildingsSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 10C - Operational and Construction assessment detail, assumptions and limitationsSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 8A Historic Environmental Baseline ReportSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
SUPERSEDED Appendix 7U Response to LPA ecology chapter commentsSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 11A - WFD Screening AssessmentSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 9G - Landscape Strategy for Reserved MattersSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 12.6 Businesses And Tourism Receptors WiderSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
SUPERSEDED Appendix 7M Arboreal Mammals Survey ReportSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 9.5 - Figure 9.13 Viewpoint ImagesSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 6.4 Geologically Designated Sites And GeomorphologySupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 7.10 Habitat Evaluation Future Baseline 2 of 3 - Nant HelenSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 5.10 Local Highway NetworkSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
SUPERSEDED ES Volume II Front Cover and Table of ContentsSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
SUPERSEDED Appendix 7P Soil sampling technical noteSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 9C - Landscape and visual BaselineSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
SUPERSEDED 003B Illustrative Masterplan_Washery_reducedDrawings - PlansNot publishedView
ApplicationFormRedactedSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 11B Drainage StrategySupporting DocumentNot publishedView
SUPERSEDED Appendix 7C Fungi Survey ReportSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 13.2 LSOA Index of Multiple Deprivation AreasSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 11.1 Surface Water Features And Flood RiskSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 9.4 Landscape Character AreasSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 7.10 Habitat Evaluation Future Baseline 3 of 3 - WasherySupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 5.12 Traffic CountSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
SUPERSEDED Appendix 7D Invertebrate ReportSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 12.4 PRoW Effects LocalSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 8.3 Historic Landscape AreasSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 7.11 Future Baseline Habitats Washery 3 of 3Supporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 7.1 Site LocationSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 5.7 Bus ServicesSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
SUPERSEDED Appendix 7T Table of broad ecosystems and effects on ecosystem resilienceSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
SUPERSEDED Appendix 7R Calculations of habitat loss gain and retained habitatsSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
SUPERSEDED Appendix 7I Riparian Mammal ReportSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 9A - Landscape Assessment MethodologySupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Pre-application Consultation ReportSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
SUPERSEDED 003B Illustrative Masterplan_WasheryDrawings - PlansNot publishedView
003A Illustrative Masterplan_reducedDrawings - PlansNot publishedView
SUPERSEDED Appendix 7L Dormouse ReportSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 10A - Noise Survey and baselineSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 2B - Statement of CompetencySupporting DocumentNot publishedView
001 Site Location PlanLocation PlanNot publishedView
Appendix 4A - Design iterationsSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
SUPERSEDED Appendix 7O Habitat classification and evaluationSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
SUPERSEDED 003A Illustrative MasterplanDrawings - PlansNot publishedView
SUPERSEDED Appendix 7G Breeding Bird ReportSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
SUPERSEDED Appendix 7A Extended Phase 1 Habitat SurveySupporting DocumentNot publishedView
SUPERSEDED Appendix 7F Reptile Survey Report_V2Supporting DocumentNot publishedView
SUPERSEDED Appendix 7B NVC Survey ReportSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 6A Geotechnical Desk Study_3of3 (Appen C-H)Supporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 6A Geotechnical Desk Study_1of3Supporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 12.5 Businesses And Tourism Receptors LocalSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 14.3 Ecological ReceptorsSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 12.3 PRoW LocalSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 9.14 Mitigation ProposalsSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 10.3 Noise Emissions NightSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 7.9 Habitat Creation And Enhancement - SpeciesSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 7.2 International Statutory Designated SitesSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 7.8 Bat Tree Survey PlanSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 1.2 Site Regional ContextSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
ES Non-Technical SummarySupporting DocumentNot publishedView
SUPERSEDED Appendix 7Q HRA 2021 issueSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 13.1 Ward AreasSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 14.4 Construction DustSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 12.1 Wider Study AreaSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 10.4 Noise mitigation cross-sectionsSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 10.1 Noise Emissions DaySupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 9.1 Context PlanSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 7.11 Future Baseline Habitats 1 of 3Supporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 7.6 NVC PlanSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 7.4 Ancient WoodlandSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 5.5 PRoW Main SiteSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 1.3 Site LayoutSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
ES Volume I - Main Text - CombinedSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 14A - Air quality construction dust methodologySupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 9D - Assessment TablesSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
005 Typical Sections & Key Plan (for information only)Drawings - PlansNot publishedView
A summary of the attachments in the proposalSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Covering Letter NPT(1)Supporting DocumentNot publishedView
Pre-application Consultation Report - AppendicesSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 14.2 Designated HabitatsSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 14.1 Modelled SourcesSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 11.2 Combined Sewer Outfalls And Private Water SuppliesSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
SUPERSEDED Figure 1.6B Illustrative MasterplanSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 6.1 Site Boundary And TopographySupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 9.17 Sidings SectionsSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 8.4 Archaeological Potential AreasSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 9.15-9.16 PhotomontagesSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 9.3 Viewpoint location planSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 6.5 Mining HistorySupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 6.3 Solid Geology And Linear FeaturesSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 6.6 Potential Sources Of ContaminationSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 7.3 National Statutory Designated SitesSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 5.6 National Cycle NetworkSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 5.11 Traffic CollisionsSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 1.1 Redline Boundary PlanSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 15A GHG AssessmentSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
SUPERSEDED Appendix 7H Wintering Bird ReportSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 15B CCR TableSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 2A - Scoping response Joint NPT and PCCSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 13A Health baselineSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
SUPERSEDED Appendix 7S Evaluation of impacts on important ecological receptorsSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
SUPERSEDED Appendix 7V Evaluation of future baseline vs existing baselineSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 9F - Visual Impact of Southern SidingsSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
How the fee was calculatedSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
SUPERSEDED Appendix 7J Bat Roost Survey ReportSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 9E - Night-time AssessmentSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 9B - Landmap AnalysisSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Transport AssessmentSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
002 Parameter PlanDrawings - PlansNot publishedView
004 Proposed Demolition PlanDrawings - PlansNot publishedView
Application FormForms and CertificatesNot publishedView
Appendix 10B - Policy, criteria and consultationSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 15C ICCI TableSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 5.8 Structure ConflictsSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 5.9 Highway NetworkSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 8.2 Non Designated Heritage AssetsSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 6.2 Solid And Drift GeologySupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 9.2 Zone Of Theoretical VisibilitySupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Figure 5.13 - Proposed Site AccessSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
SUPERSEDED Figure 1.6A Illustrative MasterplanSupporting DocumentNot publishedView
Appendix 6A - Geotechnical Desk StudySupporting DocumentNot publishedView

Documents open on the council website. Browse council documents if a link has changed.

Application timeline

Council milestones and published deadlines. A deadline passing does not confirm a decision.

  1. Application Received Date

    Published milestoneCouncil source

  2. Latest Neighbour Consultation Date

    Published milestoneCouncil source

  3. Application Validated Date

    Published milestoneCouncil source

  4. Last Advertised In Press Date

    Published milestoneCouncil source

  5. Neighbour Consultation Expiry Date

    Past published deadline

    A published target or deadline. It does not confirm an outcome.

    Council source

  6. Latest Advertisement Expiry Date

    Past published deadline

    A published target or deadline. It does not confirm an outcome.

    Council source

  7. Determination Deadline

    Past published deadline

    A published target or deadline. It does not confirm an outcome.

    Council source

  8. Standard Consultation Date

    Published milestoneCouncil source

  9. Standard Consultation Expiry Date

    Past published deadline

    A published target or deadline. It does not confirm an outcome.

    Council source

  10. Actual Committee Date

    Published milestoneCouncil source

  11. Decision Made Date

    Published milestoneCouncil source

  12. Decision Issued Date

    Published milestoneCouncil source

  13. Agreed Expiry Date

    Past published deadline

    A published target or deadline. It does not confirm an outcome.

    Council source

  14. Permission Expiry Date

    Past published deadline

    A published target or deadline. It does not confirm an outcome.

    Council source

Decision & conditions

Approved
Decision Notice - Revision 5 Decision Notice REV 4 Decision Notice REVISION 3 Decision Notice REVISION 2 Decision Notice REVISION 1
Planning conditions

Conditions aren’t listed here. Read the council decision notice for the full decision and conditions.

Related records

No related records were published in this section.

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