Controversial Newport solar farm would be size of 20 football pitches

Solar PV Newport, Wales

A CONTROVERSIAL planning application for a solar farm the size of more than 20 football pitches on the western outskirts of Newport could get the go-ahead today.

Newport City Council’s planning committee will discuss the application for the 17.5-hectare farm on land off Began Road, north of the M4 between junctions 29 and 30 on the boundary between Newport and Cardiff.

 

The meeting comes just a week after the committee refused permission for a 21-acre solar farm north of the M4 on land in Cefn Llogell Farm, Coedkernew, on the outskirts of Newport.

Although applicants EEW Eco Energy World Ltd have said the development of 19,400 solar panels would generate up to 4.85 megawatts of power – enough to power nearly 1,500 homes – the application has proven hugely unpopular with people living in the surrounding area, with a 570-signature petition against the plans and 106 letters of objection received by the council.

Among concerns raised by residents were the loss of farmland, the disruption to people living in the area while building work was carried out and the potential risk of causing accidents on the M4 as a result of drivers being distracted by light reflecting off the panels.

Objections were also made on the grounds of the potential negative impact on the amenity of the area, as well as house prices and wildlife.

Also objecting to the proposal were Michaelston-y-Fedw Community Council, who wrote to the council calling the plans “unacceptable”.

In the letter it said: “The village already has two large wind turbines nearby and further proposals are in the pipeline.

“This is a tranquil rural area which has already been damaged by other energy proposals.

“Whilst the principle of renewable energy is supported, the need to preserve the openness of the rural countryside surroundings by both Cardiff City and Newport Council.”

Only one letter supporting the application – sent by the site’s landowner – was received, in which it was argued the site had proven unprofitable as farmland, and solar panels were significantly less harmful to the area than the alternative of wind turbines.

Although the initial application would have seen the panels set up over a much larger site of 45 hectares, this was later reduced by more than half to the current 21-hectare proposal.

 

If the application, which is recommended for approval by planning officers, is given the go-ahead the site will operate for 25 years before being decommissioned.

As 3.5 hectares of the 17.5 hectare site falls within the jurisdiction of Cardiff City Council, both they and Newport City Council will have to agree to permit the application for it to go ahead.

 

Article Sourced from South Wales Argus