A Plaid Cymru Senedd Member has welcomed a decision to turn down an industrial-sized solar farm on a delicate ecological habitat for rare species.
Peredur Owen Griffiths said the decision to refuse planning permission for Craig-y-Perthi solar farm around the village of Bishton, near Newport, is a major boost for conservation.
The solar farm – which was predicted to generate enough power for more than 45,000 homes – could have had an adverse impact on large swathes of Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) land near and around the Gwent levels.
This area is known to be home to one of the rarest bee species in the UK; the shrill carder bee, amongst other rare animals.
The Gwent Wildlife Trust have consistently warned about the negative impact of solar farms on a delicate ecosystem following a three-year report into the impact of the nearby Llanwern Solar Farm. This report showed that lapwing numbers have declined drastically, bat activity has fallen and the common crane has disappeared from the area.
Peredur said: “This decision will be a huge relief for the residents of Bishton and conservationists like the Gwent Wildlife Trust who expressed a deep concern for the impact of this huge solar farm on such a delicate landscape.
“It represents a victory for common sense. Many of the people protesting against this application are not against solar farms or renewable energy projects per se – they merely believe they should be located in appropriate places.
“Plaid Cymru agrees with the principle of harnessing our natural resources more but they should not be to the detriment of SSSI land. There should also be much more community ownership of renewable energy schemes so that the vast wealth generated by these projects does not flow out of our towns and villages.”
Peredur added: “This battle may have been won but there are many more industrial-sized solar farm projects in the pipeline for the Gwent Levels area.
“If all of the six earmarked projects were to be approved, it would cover a fifth of an irreplaceable wetlands landscape known as the Gwent Levels.
“This would have a catastrophic effect on rare species and it must be opposed vigorously.”