dcf.cymru stimulus sheet · IT · Year 10
Everything on this sheet is invented: the valley, the wind farm, the council, the company, the people, the websites and every web address. Do not type the addresses into a browser. The kinds of source, and the tricks some of them use, are real.
Cwm Garth is a valley in south Wales. A path called Footpath CG17 runs from the village of Pen-y-garth to the summit of Garth-wen mountain. A wind farm is going to be built on the mountain. On a local group chat, people are saying: “The footpath up Garth-wen is being closed for ever.” Is that true? Today’s date is 29 September 2026.
Web address: www.cwmgarth.gov.uk/planning/decisions/CG-26-0142
Title: Decision notice: Garth-wen Wind Farm, application CG/26/0142
Author: Head of Planning, Cyngor Cwm Garth (Cwm Garth Council) · Published: 15 May 2026
Permission is granted for 7 wind turbines, subject to 24 conditions. Condition 12: Public Footpath CG17 may be temporarily diverted along a signed route during construction, for no more than 9 months. The footpath must be reopened on its original line before any turbine starts generating. Construction is expected to begin in April 2027. The full committee report, maps and 312 public comments are attached as documents.
Web address: www.garthwen-energy.co.uk/news
Title: Green light for Garth-wen! · Author: Garth-wen Energy Ltd, press office · Published: 15 May 2026
“We are delighted. Garth-wen will produce enough clean electricity for 40,000 homes. Walkers will see no change at all. The mountain stays open to everyone, as it always has been. We look forward to being a good neighbour.” No documents or links are given.
Web address: www.valleypost.co.uk/news/garth-wen-approved
Title: Garth-wen wind farm approved, with path diversion during building work
Author: Ffion Price, local democracy reporter · Published: 16 May 2026 · The Valley Post has reported on Cwm Garth since 1902.
Councillors voted 9 to 3 to approve 7 turbines on Garth-wen. Footpath CG17 will be diverted for up to 9 months while the turbines are built, and must then reopen on its usual route. Garth-wen Energy said walkers would “see no change”. Mair Hopkins of the Save Garth-wen group said: “Nine months without our path is not no change.” The article links to the council’s decision notice.
Web address: www.savegarthwen.org.uk/blog
Title: THEY ARE TAKING OUR MOUNTAIN · Author: “Admin” · Published: 17 May 2026
“It’s official. The council has sold out Cwm Garth. Our footpath will be CLOSED FOR EVER behind locked gates. Generations of families have walked this path and now it’s GONE. Everyone knows these companies never keep their promises. SHARE THIS before they delete it!!” No sources are given. The page has a button to donate to the campaign.
Account: @CwmGarthTruth (joined April 2026, 38 followers) · Posted: 20 May 2026 · Shared: 14,200 times
A photograph of a locked metal gate with a sign: FOOTPATH PERMANENTLY CLOSED. The caption says: “This went up TODAY on Garth-wen. Told you so. They lied to us.”
Web address: www.gwirneugau.cymru/checks/garth-wen-gate
Title: Gwir neu Gau? (True or False?) Viral “closed footpath” photo is not from Garth-wen
Author: Rhys Evans, fact-checker · Published: 22 May 2026
“A reverse image search shows the photo was first posted online in 2019, at a quarry in England. No work has started on Garth-wen, and the council confirmed that Footpath CG17 is open today. The planning conditions allow a temporary diversion of up to 9 months during construction only.” The check links to the 2019 original, the decision notice and the council’s reply.
Web address: forum.valleyswalkers.net/thread/4471 · Posted by: Hillbagger_77 · Posted: 3 March 2018
“Heard from a mate that the Garth Ridge turbines will mean the path up Garth-wen is shut for 2 years. Typical.” (A reply from 2019 says: “Garth Ridge got refused, so that’s that.”)
Web address: www.top-energy-facts-now.com/garth-wen · Author: none given · Date: none given
“Garth-wen Wind Farm is one of the most exciting wind farms in Scotland. With 70 turbines, it is a true marvel of engineering. Walkers are banned from the area for safety. In conclusion, Garth-wen Wind Farm is a fascinating topic.” The page has six adverts and no links to sources.
Title: Walking near wind farms: path use before, during and after construction
Journal: Journal of Rural Recreation, a peer-reviewed academic journal · Authors: Dr Elin Rowlands and Dr Tom Pugh, a university in Wales · Published: 2023
Study of walking at 12 wind farm sites in Wales and Scotland, using path counters. Walking fell during construction at every site. At 10 of the 12 sites it returned to its earlier level within 2 years of the turbines starting. The article has 46 references. It does not mention Garth-wen.