‘Species could be wiped out' if new solar farm is built in Wales, planners told
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.
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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.
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For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
