Historic Llanfabon Church in Caerphilly restored by Twyn Hywel Energy Park supplier
<2 minute read
A historic church in Caerphilly County Borough has benefited from restoration work delivered through our social value programme, supporting local communities near Twyn Hywel Energy Park.
A section of the stone boundary wall at St Mabon’s Church, Llanfabon, has been carefully rebuilt by specialist contractor Terra Firma (Wales) Ltd, helping to preserve an important local heritage site with deep historical and community significance.
The restoration was funded through our Social Value Standard, which requires suppliers working on our projects to reinvest 2% of contract value into local communities, creating meaningful benefits alongside renewable energy development.
Located within the wider Nelson community, St Mabon’s Church is a well-known local landmark and an important part of the area’s cultural heritage. The church has been a site of Christian worship since the 5th century and contains a memorial to those who lost their lives in the 1894 Albion Colliery disaster.
The restored boundary wall helps protect and enhance a site that continues to play a central role in community life while welcoming visitors from across the UK and beyond.
“On behalf of the Church that worships here at St Mabon’s, I would like to thank Bute Energy and Terra Firma for their generosity and skill in the repair of the stone boundary wall. St Mabon’s has been a site of Christian worship since the 5th Century and we are proud that this beautiful church continues to be a place of regular worship today.
“It continues to be a true landmark in Llanfabon and Nelson, with so many in the community having personal links with the Church. It also regularly receives visitors from all over the world with historical family connections.”
Father Gareth Coombes of St Mabon’s Church
Local contractor support
Terra Firma (Wales) Ltd was appointed in April 2025 to undertake early ground investigation works associated with Twyn Hywel Energy Park – which was given planning permission by Welsh Government back in 2024 and has now moved to the construction stage as of summer 2026.
Mathew Lake, Director of Terra Firma (Wales) Ltd, said:
“We were delighted to be involved in the restoration of the wall at St Mabon’s Church. As a local business, it’s particularly rewarding to be involved in helping to preserve an important part of our area’s heritage and support projects that benefit the wider community.
“We’re proud to have worked alongside Bute Energy, the church and the local community to help ensure this historic landmark can be enjoyed for many years to come.”
Cllr Brenda Miles, County Councillor, Nelson Ward, Caerphilly County Borough Council welcomed the work, saying:
“It’s great to see Terra Firma (Wales) and Bute Energy making a difference in our community. St Mabon’s is a landmark for the communities of Llanfabon and Nelson. It’s part of our heritage, culture and local identity. Rebuilt in 1846, the current listed building is 180 years old this year.
“Conservation of this historical site is important to the whole community, and the stonemasons at Terra Firma have done an excellent job of restoration.”
What is Twyn Hywel Energy Park?
Twyn Hywel Energy Park is one of several renewable energy projects we are developing across Wales to help meet the nation’s growing demand for clean, secure and affordable energy.
Our wider portfolio could generate more than 2.2GW of clean electricity by 2030, enough to power the equivalent of more than 2.25 million homes.
Once operational, the 14-turbine Twyn Hywel Energy Park is expected to generate enough renewable electricity to power the equivalent of approximately 81,000 homes every year.
Construction has begun on site at Eglwysilan Common – find out more on the energy park page.
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