Latest news with #DevelopmentofNationalSignificance
South Wales Argus
4 days ago
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Could massive solar farms damage the Gwent Levels?
The call comes as the Welsh Government considers a new application to build a solar farm on the ecologically sensitive Gwent Levels. Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) is currently reviewing the controversial Wentlooge Solar development. The proposed 318-acre site has sparked fierce debate, following damning evidence of environmental destruction caused by a similar solar project at Llanwern. Geoff Devlin of Stop Craig y Perthi—a campaign opposing another proposed solar farm near Bishton—said: "To influence debate in the Senedd, people need to be aware of and discussing the key issues. There is now clear evidence of serious environmental damage caused by the Llanwern solar site, and people must pressure politicians. It's the only way to influence those in the Senedd." PEDW is ruling on the Wentlooge site after operators RWE appealed a previous rejection under Development of National Significance (DNS) rules. The Welsh Government's 2019 declaration of a climate emergency may bolster RWE's case, as the site could be seen as contributing to climate policy goals. The legal battle coincides with a Welsh Government-commissioned study into the Llanwern solar plant—built entirely within two Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)—which revealed catastrophic impacts on wildlife and water quality. Lapwing breeding pairs dropped from eight to two, with no successful nesting recorded in 2023. Shrill carder bee and brown-banded carder bee populations plummeted, likely due to herbicide use and failed wildflower planting. Bat activity declined sharply. The rare Eurasian crane, once seen as a hopeful returnee to the Levels, has vanished. The report also highlights dangerous pollutants—including cadmium and lead—leaking into the reens and ditches, vital waterways that support otters, water voles, and rare aquatic flora. These findings were presented at PEDW hearings, raising urgent questions about whether mitigation measures can ever succeed in such a fragile ecosystem. Gwent Wildlife Trust CEO Natalie Buttriss stated: "Mitigation has failed catastrophically. The proposed Wentlooge site is even larger than Llanwern and poses an even greater threat to this irreplaceable landscape." Campaigners emphasize they are not opposed to solar energy, but argue that developments must avoid nationally protected areas. Only 12% of Wales is designated as SSSI, and these fragments, they say, should be sacrosanct. With vast areas of non-designated land available, they urge the Welsh Government to redirect solar projects away from sensitive habitats. The Gwent Levels—often dubbed Wales's Amazon—are home to a rich mosaic of wildlife. Magor Marsh, a flagship reserve of Gwent Wildlife Trust, preserves one of the last remaining pieces of natural fenland in Britain. From cuckoos and warblers to kingfishers and wintering teal, the area supports biodiversity year-round. The reens, unique to the Levels, remain a haven for water voles—one of the UK's fastest declining mammals. Public support for protecting the Levels is growing, with backing from naturalists Iolo Williams, Gillian Burke, and Lizzie Daly, and authors Julian Hoffman and Horatio Clare. As PEDW prepares its decision, campaigners warn that approval could set a precedent for industrial-scale development on protected land. Meanwhile, green energy giant RWE still operates lignite power stations in Central Europe. Lignite is a highly invasive and inefficient source of carbon energy. RWE has committed to phasing out all lignite sites by 2030.
Powys County Times
19-05-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Go-ahead for weather mast in Powys despite objections
A planning inspector has given the go-ahead for a 122.5-metre weather mast on common land near Builth Wells despite a wave of objections. Powys County Council's planning committee in January agreed an application from Aberedw Energy Park Limited to allow the weather mast at Aberedw Hill to be sited there for a five year period. Aberedw Energy Park Limited is also behind proposals to build 18 wind turbines at the site, which is on common lean three kilometres east of Builth Wells. The company is the development vehicle for Bute Energy, which specialises in wind and solar energy parks. But before anything can be build there the firm needed to receive common land consent to allow the work to take place, and lodged a commons consent application with PEDW (Planning and Environment Decision Wales) in December 2024. RECOMMENDED READING: The report from PEDW said that 31 'individual representations' had been submitted which raised several concerns including: 'Catastrophic impact on birdlife on the common, and that the supporting wires will pose a danger to various birds, including lapwings, curlews, red kites, buzzards and ospreys; 'The height of the mast would have a detrimental visual impact on the area, the landscape and historic environment, including the cumulative impact of other proposed schemes in the wider area; Harmful impact on tourism and the economy.' Concerns were also raised about a 'potential danger' to low flying military aircraft and paragliders, the air ambulance and hot air balloons. Planning inspector Richard Duggan visited the site last month. He said: 'A number of objections have raised concerns regarding the impact on biodiversity, including impact upon birdlife. 'I note that Powys County Council 's ecologist raised no objection to the planning application subject to the imposition of conditions. 'Having regard to the evidence before me I am satisfied that biodiversity enhancement and the protection of ecological and ornithological interests on the common could be achieved through the conditions imposed on the planning permission for the works.' 'In my view there would be no fundamental changes to the underlying key characteristics of the local landscape and changes to the visual context of the area would only occur relatively close to the site.' On the looming wind turbine proposal in the background, Mr Duggan said: 'Any such windfarm development, would be subject to a separate future DNS (Development of National Significance) application where its effects on the living conditions of nearby residents, on the common and wider landscape would be fully considered. 'Therefore, concerns regarding a possible future wind farm, the design or extent of which is currently unknown, and not directly relevant to this application.' Due to this he said he would 'allow the application and grant consent for the works'. If built the wind turbines could generate 108 megawatts (MW) of electricity which would be enough to power the equivalent of 97,000 homes a year.
