Latest news with #PlanningandEnvironmentDecisionsWales
Leader Live
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Leader Live
Second-chance for Wrexham Planning Committee to rule on 600-home plan
The last time the application was on the agenda was two weeks ago, when the planning committee meeting collapsed after two-and-a-half minutes due to not enough members attending. After the UK Supreme Court ruling that left Wrexham's Local Development Plan (LDP) unadopted, the scheme – on land that was included in the LDP – was left in limbo. When the plans first came before the committee in 2020, councillors raised objections that the site lay outside the settlement area in the Green Barrier. Once it was included in the LDP, that objection was withdrawn as the land was formally included in the council's development plans. Related reading: Now, with moves afoot to erase the LDP entirely and an inquiry by Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) into the development due on September 29, Wrexham Council has a second chance to determine the application and submit a formal response to the inquiry. In the report the committee will consider officers have recommended that Wrexham Council could not successfully defend an appeal if it reinstated its opposition to the development. It also advises if they go against that advice and restore their objections, the committee will need to nominate two councillors to give evidence before the inquiry. According to the report: 'Although the unadopted LDP no longer has the status of development plan, the Development Management Manual (DMM)advises that the weight to be attached to an unadopted LDP will depend on the stage it has reached. 'Local Planning Authorities need to carefully consider the underlying evidence to an unadopted LDP. 'In the event that members determine to reinstate one or more of the reasons for refusal, members will nominate up to two members of the Planning Committee to act as expert witnesses at the inquiry.'
North Wales Live
15-07-2025
- General
- North Wales Live
'Door still open' to landowners as Gwynedd planners approve footpath proposal
The "door is still open" for landowners to offer an alternative route after a proposal for the creation of a 2.4km stretch of public footpath crossing private farm land was approved by planners. The decision by Cyngor Gwynedd's planning committee could eventually lead to the development of a route crossing the private property of Fferm Afonwen, Glanllynnau and Tŷ'n Morfa between Pwllheli and Criccieth. The scheme aims to improve use of the coastal path in the Gwynedd region by avoiding a "significant" diversion along the busy A497. Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday The new route would follow closer to the coast than the existing route, avoiding a 5.3km detour. It also would link a public footpath in the Llanystumdwy community and an unclassified road, referred to as the "road from the A497 Afonwen roundabout to the south towards the railway". If it goes ahead, the route would run on the landward side of the railway line in the coastal area around Afonwen Farm, and Glanllynnau Farm, before following a track under the railway line to Tŷ'n Morfa, near Chwilog. The coastal path in Gwynedd is 180 miles long and forms part of the wider 870-mile All Wales Coastal Path project. Despite approval, the scheme would see a further public consultation, as part of a statutory process, including the involvement of various bodies, including affected landowners. The meeting was told, and the report noted: "Landowners had refused the offer to discuss the matter, but had clearly and politely stated from the outset that they will not agree to the proposal." A planning officer told the meeting that "the door is always open to the landowner to offer an alternative route". The committee agreed to the recommendation, to approve the submission of a Path Creation Order, under section 26 of the Highways Act 1980, to ensure public access over 2.63km of land in private ownership. It also accepted that if an objection to the order is not received, or should an objection be received, and which is withdrawn at a later date, that the Order is approved. And, if an objection is received which is not withdrawn, the council submits it to PEDW [Planning and Environment Decisions Wales]. Planning officers asserted it was not the council that would make the ultimate decision to create a footpath, but PEDW. The council was of the opinion that the route was "the best option". The local member, Cllr Rhys Tudor, welcomed the scheme in principal. He said: "It is nice to see plans that follow the coastal line." He queried the route being on the land side of the railway, and felt a route even closer to the coast would be "desirable". "It would be good to hear the views of the landowners," he added. Cllr Anne Lloyd Jones proposed approval. She said: "Hopefully, the landowners will approach the officers and discuss this, because in the end it is better for them to be involved, they may be able to offer something better." Seconding, Cllr Elin Hywel wanted to support the application, saying it was "great to see the coastal path being developed, it will encourage more people to make use of it and we should support this". She added: "It is an excellent idea, I use the existing path and walking on the road section does change the feel of the path, and that section of road is extra busy." Queries over the use of the route by horse riders were also discussed, but it was noted that it ran close to the railway, there was a dead end, and 12 steps to be crossed, so it was deemed "not practical to upgrade it to a bridleway".
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘Species could be wiped out' if new solar farm is built in Wales, planners told
Species could be wiped out if a new solar farm is built in the Gwent Levels, planners heard on Wednesday. Plans for a solar farm at Wentlooge on the Levels south of Newport are being considered this week by Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW). The application has been submitted by Wentlooge Farmers Solar Scheme Ltd, funded by Next Energy Capital, and would cover 318 acres of the levels landscape. If approved it will be there for 40 years. Wildlife such as lapwings, skylarks, geese, and shrill carder bees are among the hundreds of species to use the Wentlooge site, which falls within the levels site of special scientific interest (SSSI), and on Wednesday the hearing heard there was still uncertainty over how solar panels in the ground would affect biodiversity there. READ MORE: The best photos as people enjoy Barry Island on hottest day of the year so far READ MORE: Welsh opera star Stuart Burrows dies aged 92 The hearing is of particular importance because Wentlooge is one of seven renewable energy parks planned for the Gwent Levels by developers. If they are all approved it would significantly change the landscape for decades and campaigners who say this planning decision could set a precedent for development on the levels and argue the land will never recover. So far there is one solar farm on the levels – the Llanwern solar park near Nash where it is clear that since panels went into the ground five years ago the population of lapwings has diminished considerably. While planning inspector Melissa Hall urged caution in drawing comparisons between the apparent 'failures' in mitigation efforts at the Llanwern site and what might happen if the site at Wentlooge was to be covered in panels as the only viable case study the Llanwern solar park did form the basis of much discussion during the first day of the hearing on Wednesday. The Wentlooge developer, represented by Stephen Humphreys, told the hearing there are lapwings at the Llanwern site, albeit the land specifically covered by panels has seen a decrease in lapwings. They asked to be given time and said the project was only in its fifth year out of 40 years. The developer's ecologist Jon Garner, who has also worked for the developer at Llanwern, took exception to the inference that the Llanwern solar park had failed in its mitigation attempts for lapwings. He said: 'Just to reiterate this is early days. We are only looking at four years of results [for the Llanwern site]. It's too early to establish the long-term impact on species. 'It's fair to acknowledge that the results haven't been brilliant. But lapwings have continued to breed around the scheme. On a positive note this year our surveys have shown breeding within the panels from lapwings for the first time.' Dr Michael Bowes, representing Friends of the Gwent Levels, said: 'I'm confused by that approach. It seems a wait and see approach would clearly favour the applicant. How long [to wait]? It's very unclear. You may have a species here which may or may not be wiped out. We have a lot of uncertainty here. 'This is a moving target. This hearing is not about giving the applicant flexibility to learn. To proceed despite doubt would be inconsistent with the planning policy.' SSSI land covers 12% of all land in Wales. The Welsh Government's own planning policy guidance states developing on a SSSI should only be approved if there is wholly exceptional need and if the development is considered necessary for the management of the SSSI. Developers targeting the Gwent Levels for renewable energy are arguing that the current chase to reach net zero by the end of the decade is a global emergency. This map shows how applications for renewable development would cover the levels: Mr Humphreys said: 'From a 'wholly exceptional' point of view it's important to highlight that the policy describes renewable energy as being of 'paramount importance'. ''Paramount' means 'more important than anything else' or 'supreme'. That is a specific use of that word. It's incredibly important and perhaps the most important point within the planning policy.' Wentlooge Farmers Solar Scheme Ltd argue that the SSSI at Wentlooge is currently failing its targets. The developer said its solar panels would not only mitigate but 'enhance' biodiversity. Mr Humphreys said: 'The suggestion seems to be that this scheme would cause harm to the SSSI. The developer absolutely refutes that. 'Natural Resources Wales agrees that mitigation and restoration should lead to the improved condition of the SSSI. The current state of the SSSI is poor.' Lindy Marshall, senior development planning advisor for Natural Resources Wales (NRW), clarified what NRW thinks. She said: 'We don't believe this development is necessary for the overall management of the SSSI.' She also described the current performance of the Wentlooge site as 'suboptimal' rather than poor. The land at the Gwent Levels is being targeted by developers because of its flat geology and proximity to the grid hookup. Mike Webb of the Gwent Wildlife Trust asked the hearing why other areas which are not SSSI areas had not been looked at. He said: 'There are many developments in the pipeline on the Gwent Levels. Can they all be exceptional? The developer goes on to say the nature emergency is wholly exceptional. "It's becoming more apparent that the developer is a minority of one in saying this development isn't damaging.' Prior to the hearing CEO of the Gwent Wildlife Trust Natalie Buttriss said: "'If development like this is allowed on SSSIs in Wales it will set a precedent. "In terms of important landscapes and biodiversity corridors in Wales it opens doors to that not being valued or seen as important. It would just completely change the characteristics of the area for communities too. 'On one field you'd have giant solar panels and on the other you'd have a biodiverse criss-cross of waterways that it is at the moment. That's what people would see as they walked the Wales coastal path." The hearing continues on Thursday. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
Business News Wales
02-07-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Welsh Planning Reforms 'Poised to Deliver Generational Change'
CBI Wales says that planning reforms in Wales are 'poised to deliver a generational change.' Welsh Government has said the changes aim to streamline the planning process, address resource challenges, and build a modern, efficient planning system fit for the future. Announcing the measures, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning Rebecca Evans said: 'I am determined to make Wales the fastest country in the UK to determine infrastructure applications. This ambition extends to all planning applications, recognising that this will drive economic growth across our nation.' Now CBI Wales has welcomed the announcement, saying the Welsh Government had listened to business concerns that the planning system was delaying investment. It urged Welsh Government to follow the announcement with 'quick, decisive action' which it said would make Wales a more attractive destination. Russell Greenslade, Director, CBI Wales, said: 'The Welsh Government's wide-ranging planning reforms are poised to deliver a generational change. A Welsh economy with the fastest, most innovative, digitalised system in the UK would be a big driver for business expansion and inward investment. 'We are very pleased with the inclusion of seven of the recommendations from our Planning for Growth report. This shows that the Welsh Government is listening to business concerns that delays in the current system are holding up investment. Our recommendations are not about cutting regulation but smarter implementation.' The Welsh Government announcement includes several key measures it said would accelerate decision-making and boost the planning profession: • Nearly £9 million of direct investment into planning services provided by Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW), Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and the Welsh Government's Planning Directorate, strengthening the capacity of the services to deliver faster decisions. • New fee regulations to be introduced by the end of this year, representing the largest single investment in planning services for many years. • The increased revenue will be reinvested directly back into planning services to improve performance and reduce waiting times. • Funding for two Senior Planner roles to work on infrastructure applications across North Wales as part of an expanded North Wales Shared Planning Service. • A new Town Planning Bursaries scheme via the Pathways to Planning programme to increase the pipeline of qualified planners across Wales, with the Welsh Government meeting the costs for graduates to obtain a post-graduate planning qualification. Russell continued: 'From £9 million of direct investment for planning services and funding for senior planners in North Wales, to incentives for students to take up a career in planning, the reforms outlined by the Economy Secretary will make a real difference to business investment plans. Business is clear it wants a better service in return for the planning fees it pays local authorities. But we need more detail about the changes to planning fees, and how they will be used to improve the service. 'Now we need plans to turn to action. We want quick, decisive action to create a faster, more agile planning system that will allow companies to realise their ambitions and develop improved infrastructure, making Wales a more attractive destination for firms, creating jobs, prosperity and driving forward sustainable growth.'
Wales Online
02-07-2025
- General
- Wales Online
'This will irretrievably damage a nationally important landscape teeming with wildlife'
'This will irretrievably damage a nationally important landscape teeming with wildlife' A huge solar farm would cover a vast area of the Gwent Levels A Planning and Environment Decisions Wales hearing will this week decide whether a huge solar farm can be constructed at the Gwent Levels SSSI (Image: John Myers ) The CEO of a charity working to protect one of Wales' most important areas of land has spoken of her fear about the impact of a major development being considered by the Welsh Government this week. On Wednesday and Thursday Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) are considering proposals for a new solar farm at Wentlooge on the Gwent Levels site of special scientific interest (SSSI). The application has been submitted by Wentlooge Farmers Solar Scheme Ltd, funded by Next Energy Capital, and would cover 318 acres of the Levels landscape. If approved it will be there for 40 years. There is already one solar farm on the Levels border at Llanwern while there are another seven planning applications for further renewable energy developments in the pipeline for the Levels alone. You can see a map below showing just how the applications could change the whole landscape of one of the country's most important landscapes. CEO of the wildlife trust Natalie Buttriss told WalesOnline ahead of the first day of the PEDW hearing for the Wentlooge plans: 'If this gets approved we believe it will open the floodgates to all the other applications bubbling along in the pipeline and before you know it a third of the Levels landscape or more could be covered by solar panels and the like. It's a landscape that's taken millions of years to develop both from a biodiversity point of view but also culturally. Article continues below 'If development like this is allowed on SSSIs in Wales it will set a precedent. In terms of important landscapes and biodiversity corridors in Wales it opens doors to that not being valued or seen as important. It would just completely change the characteristics of the area for communities too. 'On one field you'd have giant solar panels and on the other you'd have a biodiverse criss-cross of waterways that it is at the moment. That's what people would see as they walked the Wales coastal path." Map shows how applications for renewable development would cover the Levels Solar farms which could soon be in or around the Gwent Levels Future Energy Llanwern Land to the south of Llanwern Steelworks Would be the biggest solar farm in Wales with the capacity to provide enough green energy to power more than 100,000 homes Applicant is Future Energy Llanwern Ltd Funded by Next Energy Capital Potentially the UK's largest solar farm at 400 MW - enough to deliver 8% of Wales' household energy needs - covering approximately 2.5 square km In the pre-application process - application will be determined by the UK Government because of its size Craig y Perthi Solar Farm Surrounding the village of Bishton to the east and west Erection of a solar farm comprising ground mounted, fixed position solar panels, with a combined installed generating capacity of up to 99.9 MW, underground cabling, grid connection, associated infrastructure, landscaping and environmental enhancements, for a period of up to 40 years Applicant is RWE Renewables Funded by RWE Renewables 334 acres, capacity to produce 99.9 megawatts Planning application submitted and consultation period completed. The application is being examined by the Welsh Government and a decision is expected in April 2025 Rushwall Solar Park Rushwall Lane, Redwick The installation of a solar park with an approximate design capacity of 75MW. Development includes ancillary electrical equipment and infrastructure, access tracks, security fencing and CCTV Applicant is Rushwall Solar Park Ltd Funded by BSR Energy 210 acres, capacity to produce 75 MW Dismissed by the Welsh Government as potentially harmful to the landscape but decision overturned at judicial review and application expected to be redetermined by PEDW Atlantic Eco Park Solar Farm Newton Road, Rumney Installation of a solar park and ancillary development Applicant is Atlantic Eco Park Ltd Funded by Dauson Environmental Group 67 acres, capacity to produce 15 MW Planning application at pre-submission stage Wentlooge Renewables Energy Hub Land on the Wentlooge Levels to the west of Hawse Lane Erection of a renewable energy hub comprising ground mounted solar panels, battery storage units (160 units) with a combined installed generating capacity of up to 125 MW, underground cabling, grid connection hub, associated infrastructure, landscaping and environmental enhancements for a temporary period of 40 years Applicant is Wentlooge Farmers Solar Scheme Limited Funded by Next Energy Capital 318 acres, capacity to produce 125 MW Dismissed by the Welsh Government as potentially harmful to the landscape but decision overturned at judicial review and application expected to be redetermined by PEDW Magor Net Zero Land south of Magor, Monmouthshire Would power a linked green hydrogen plant to be constructed at the town's Budweiser brewery and decarbonise the brewery and its fleet of HGV delivery vehicles transporting beer around the UK Applicant is Protium Green Solutions Would generate approximately 15.3 MW from the 53-hectare solar farm with a 3.5MW, 105m-high wind turbine also on site. The solar farm would have 3,000 rows of 17 photovoltaic panels in eight groups. The linked electrolyser at the brewery would cover 5.3 hectares and house a 17.4 MW electrolyser and hydrogen and battery storage Planning advice sought from Welsh Government She added: 'We need to stress that we are not opposed to solar energy, simply that such developments need to be located on land where they will not irretrievably damage a nationally important and designated landscape, teeming with wildlife. It also needs to be stressed that only 12 per cent of Wales' total land area is made up of SSSIs, these small fragments should be sacrosanct. " Developers have targeted the Levels because it is flat meaning it is easy to build on and attracts more sunlight than other areas. They have also targeted the land because of the easy connection to the national grid hookup, excess energy from the now abandoned Llanwern steelworks, and the proximity to the M4 motorway. Those reasons make it easier and cheaper for development companies to propose building on it without looking at other more costly options. But the campaigners have long argued that no significant development of this nature should take place on the Levels. Currently Welsh Government planning guidance on the issue of building on SSSIs in Wales states no-one should be allowed to build on SSSIs unless in wholly exceptional need. Development companies argue that this is an emergency situation with Wales targeting net zero by 2030. Opposers to that say they've seen an opportunity to take a swathe of land in Wales and make money quickly and easily. Campaigners say they are not against clean energy quickly but it needs to be situated in appropriate areas (Image: John Myers ) Ms Buttriss explained: 'In one breath the Welsh Government is saying how wonderfully significant the Gwent Levels are for their biodiversity value and on the other the planning guidance is not saying: 'Do not develop on the Gwent Levels under any circumstances.' It's the 'under any circumstances' which we've been campaigning for. 'This isn't just a Gwent Levels issue, it's a Wales issue in protecting just 12% of the land designated as SSSI. There is another 88% of Wales which could be developed on with renewable energy.' Ms Buttriss stressed that the trust is not against renewable energy. 'There is a global crisis, but it doesn't make sense to try and resolve one environmental biodiversity crisis by creating another," she explained. A frosty morning over the Gwent Levels reveals a serene landscape, with shimmering frost crystals blanketing the wetlands, reflecting the soft hues of dawn (Image: John Myers ) There is limited evidence currently showing the impact renewable development could have on the biodiversity of the Levels, but there is one case study which is important at Llanwern where a solar farm has been built. In the years since the development was finished at Llanwern evidence suggests lapwing and bat populations have disappeared. Ms Buttriss added: 'We know that after several years of monitoring, and that's the Welsh Government monitoring, that mitigation isn't working." She added: "This is a really special area which has been created over millennia. "Each one of these ditches and waterways all has intricate ecosystems of different insects and plants and animals which has developed over hundreds and thousands of years and the microhabitats make it wonderful to watch. Article continues below "It's a mosaic of different wildlife surviving from this quite complex development over the years. It's crucial we do everything we can to keep it that way."
