A HEXHAM firm is expanding into North Wales.

It comes after Hedley Planning Services secured planning approval for a renewable energy project in Pwllheli.

A 15-metre-high, domestic, micro wind turbine will be erected on a plot of land in the town as part of a green initiative by the site's owners to generate energy to power a farmhouse and holiday accommodation.

Approval for the Britwind R9000 turbine, which has been designed for rural homes and farms and comes as the UK faces an unprecedented energy crisis, is one of the UK’s most popular, small-scale wind turbines. Proposals - in line with policies laid out in the local plan - will provide up to 14kW of power for domestic and leisure use.

Noise and ecological impact assessments were completed as part of research carried out by Hedley Planning Services to confirm the site was a suitable source for a renewable energy project.

Amelia Robson, senior planner at Hedley Planning Services, who steered the plans through for approval by Cyngor Gwynedd Council, said: “We are delighted to secure planning permission for this exciting project and very much look forward to seeing the plans come to fruition.

“We are facing an unprecedented energy crisis in the UK, so harnessing the wind can be one of the most efficient ways to supply clean energy for landowners such as the Boltons, who run a rural business.

"We expect to see more applications coming forward as people continue to see the advantages and plug into greener energy solutions.”

Last year, Amelia achieved chartered town planner status from the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), becoming a qualified member of the institute (MRTPI). She joined the Burn Lane planners in 2019 after graduating from Newcastle University with an MSc in town planning.

Start of onsite work for the Ty'n Don farm is yet to be confirmed.

The firm, established in 2012 by managing director Sean Hedley, was also behind the £46m redevelopment of the Ponteland leisure centre and schools complex, which took in both the primary and secondary school, as well as the regeneration of the former Co-op building on Newcastle's Newgate Street to a Premier Inn.