WORK on the 15-turbine Mynydd y Betws windfarm would have to be halted if sites of religious or archaeological significance were unearthed on Betws Mountain, experts have conceded.

But operators Cambrian Renewable Energy and the applicants, Irish electrical company ESB, maintain exploratory surveys have drawn a blank.

The issue was raised by Betws community councillor Maldwyn John, who said the village and its surrounding area had “a proud religious history”.

He asked: “What would happen if religious artefacts are found?”

ESB spokesman John O’Donohue said there had been a full archaeological survey. “We didn’t find anything, but we would have to stop if something was discovered,” he added.

He also discounted concerns that abandoned mine workings would pose a threat.

In a letter read out by council chairman Carwyn James, former miner Dr John Dorian Evans said there were around ten old mines on the mountain which had a history of subsidence.

“I’ve seen subsidence up there with my own eyes,”

agreed Alderman Arnallt James.

Mr O’Donohue replied civil engineers had drilled exceptionally deep boreholes.

“It takes three months to construct the turbine foundations,”

he said.

“However, I will ask our civil engineering team to provide more detailed answers to the questions this gentleman has raised.”

When pressed about possible extra traffic during the windfarm’s construction, Mr O’Donohue said it would be “substantially less” than traffic approaching the site along the A474 Amman Valley road.

The windfarm – which will produce enough electricity to power approximately 23,800 households – is expected to be completed by the spring of 2013.

● Geoff White, Neath Port Talbot Council’s head of planning, has rejected claims residents were not consulted prior to work starting on an access road at Cwmgors.

“Planning consent for the access was granted in September following extensive publicity and a site visit by councillors,”

he said.