#### Llanfabon Substation Expansion Approved Despite Residents’ Noise Concerns
The quiet community of Llanfabon, situated to the north of Caerphilly, is at the centre of growing discontent as plans move forward to expand the region’s major electrical substation. Despite formal complaints highlighting significant noise disturbances, councillors have given their unanimous backing for the controversial development, leaving some locals dissatisfied and anxious about the future impact on their wellbeing.
Neighbour Graham Richards emerged as a leading voice of concern during a recent Caerphilly county council planning committee hearing. Expressing his frustration, Mr Richards recounted his experiences with “very loud bangs” coming from the National Grid site. He described the noise as so intense it “sounds like a bomb going off” and revealed that on occasion, sound levels have reached up to 90 decibels—about as loud as a passing motorbike. Such relentless noise, he argued, is deeply unsettling. “The ground moves,” he told the committee, noting that the vibrations not only disturb the peace but have also forced him to use sleeping tablets, significantly impacting his quality of life.
Despite these strong objections, the council opted to approve planning permission for the scheme submitted by Twyn Hywel Energy Park Ltd. The expansion will include the construction of a new electrical reactor building, additional transformers, and upgraded cables, with the tallest section of the installation set to rise to 12.5 metres.
Addressing apprehensions voiced by affected residents, planning representative Jack Pugsley emphasised the positive intent behind the expansion. He insisted that the upgrades would “enhance the existing infrastructure”, helping to deliver more renewable energy into the national grid. The proposal, he suggested, is not only about capacity, but also about futureproofing the network for growing energy demands.
Supporting the development, a report presented to councillors highlighted findings from environmental assessments. According to council documents, the planned changes would comply with all government exposure limits and relevant safety guidelines. The report suggested that while some incremental noise increases were anticipated, these would fall “within acceptable levels” as established by various precautionary policies.
Council environmental health officer Ceri Davis provided further reassurance, stating that the installation of new electrical equipment would result in only a minor rise in established sound levels—about one decibel higher than present. She explained, “The human ear would not be able to notice that change,” implying that any additional noise would be negligible for most residents.
However, the issue of existing loud noises was recognised by Ms Davis, who revealed that an inspection had found one item of equipment was now operating outside of current standards. To address this, she said, it would be fitted with a sound enclosure designed to reduce its impact on the local environment. Additionally, she noted that a similar piece of machinery included in the forthcoming development would actually be smaller and therefore potentially quieter than its predecessor.
The planning committee subsequently voted in favour of granting permission, though conditions will be set in an effort to limit disruption to residents where possible. Nevertheless, the decision has prompted debate about the balance between local amenity and progress in securing modern energy infrastructure.
In Llanfabon, many locals are left pondering what the latest developments will mean for day-to-day life. Some welcome the opportunity to see energy systems improved for the long term, but others—such as Mr Richards—remain concerned that their health and peace of mind are being overlooked.
As work is set to ramp up at the substation, the site will continue to be monitored for compliance, with council officers promising prompt intervention should noise reach unacceptable levels. For now, the residents of Llanfabon must wait to see whether the latest assurances are sufficient to maintain the tranquillity they once enjoyed.