THE company behind plans for a £25 million windfarm in the Gwent valleys says that communities could benefit by up to £8 million from the scheme.

Pennant Wind Energy Ventures, which has just submitted a planning application to Blaenau Gwent council for the windfarm, has already said it plans to give local communities £150,000 to £200,000 a year for 20 years - amounting to up to £4 million.

Now managing director Dale Hart has said that if it is possible to identify projects that could qualify for match funding, then the community benefit "could rise to nearer £8 million".

The company has submitted an application for 20 to 30 turbines, up to 100 metres high, on the mountains between Brynmawr and Blaenavon, which would power 25,000 homes across Blaenau Gwent

A spokeswoman for the local authority has said that an independent assessment will be carried out before the application is discussed by the planning committee.

Residents in Blaenau Gwent have already been asked for suggestions on how the money would be spent and have responded positively, according to Pennant.

Leaflets were sent to more than 14,000 homes, asking for suggestions on how the money should be spent during the 20 to 25-year lifetime of the windfarm.

People in Abertillery, Brynmawr, Blaina, Six Bells, Nantyglo, Llanhilleth and Cwmtillery had improved footpaths, walkways and cycle routes, with new benches and picnic areas at the top of their wish lists.

There were also requests for new nature reserves, a litter clean-up, new facilities for children such as community centres for after-school activities and a "green" education centre.

Among other ideas submitted were modernisation of sports facilities, improved roads and pavements, an arts and crafts centre and a weather station for environmental studies.

Mr Hart said: "We are very pleased with the constructive response of local people.

"The replies we received were overwhelmingly positive and have produced some excellent ideas."

The company says the windfarm could produce enough clean energy for the equivalent of nearly all the homes in Blaenau Gwent.

It is now planning to hold a public exhibition of the proposal in January at several different locations.

"We will keep to our pledge of keeping local people fully informed of the progress of our proposal," said Mr Hart.