Plans for huge solar farm described as frightening

Residents have described plans for a solar farm stretching across an area the size of 1,700 football pitches as “frightening”.

Lightsource bp wants to build the solar panels across three sites in northern Anglesey, producing enough energy to power more than 130,000 homes.

With a capacity of 350MW and covering more than 3,000 acres, the Maen Hir development would be almost five times that of the biggest active solar farm in the UK.

According to developers, the solar and energy storage project - which will need UK government consent due to its scale - would go some way towards reaching the net zero targets, external.

They also state that they plan to invest in skills, education and jobs on the island.

But the plans have already attracted opposition from some who question the scale of the development, with additional concerns over the loss of so much high quality agricultural land.

The Maen Hir plans spread across three separate sites - Rhosgoch, land to the south of Llannerch-y-Medd and the northern bank of Llyn Alaw reservoir.

But this is by no means the first solar development on Anglesey.

Recently a 49.9MW development, over 190 acres, was built near Rhosgoch.

Also last year, a 35MW development was granted planning consent, covering around 150 acres of land near the villages of Bryngwran and Caergeiliog.

But as the proposed solar farm is so large, with the expectation that it will produce more than 350MW, it is considered a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP).

This means that UK government ministers, rather than Anglesey council or the Welsh government, will make the final decision based on the recommendation of the Planning Inspectorate.

William Hughes lives near one of the three proposed sites where Lightsource bp wants to install the panels.

Last year a separate solar development over 200 acres was built a stone's throw away from his home near Amlwch.

Having farmed in the area for more than 50 years, Mr Hughes said he was concerned that more quality agricultural land would be lost.

"These plans are quite frightening," he said.

"We are losing good quality land here on Anglesey.

"From where I live there is a glare from them… will they take away from the value of our houses?

“We live in such a nice place and we should try to keep it as nice as we can."

At present the largest development of its kind in the UK is the Llanwern Solar Farm, Newport, which has a capacity of 75MW.

The Maen Hir project would be almost five times bigger, but a development of a similar size is already being built between Faversham and Whitstable in Kent at a cost of around £450m.

A spokesperson for Lightsource bp said it "respected local concerns", but that this was "only the start of the process".

It is expected that the land will remain available for grazing even after any panels are installed, with additional screening measures to mitigate the visual effects.

“Currently, our proposals for Prosiect Maen Hir are in the preliminary stages," they said.

"Work is being undertaken to identify the most appropriate areas of the land available to us for development in advance of consultation taking place later this year."

The spokesperson said the company wanted local people to inform and influence the development, and urged them to take part in the consultation.

Despite being early in the planning process the plans have already been discussed by some of the area's community councils.

Among them is Amlwch Town Council, whose members have already submitted a letter stating their strong opposition.

Chairman Gareth Winston Roberts said there were "very strong feelings" and that other solar schemes had not created permanent jobs, which he said were badly needed in the area.

"Neither Anglesey nor other local councils have the right to make a decision at the end of the day, nor do Cardiff, and I think that is unfair on us in Wales," he said.

"What effect is it going to have on nearby people?

"It's so big, I think it would be the biggest in the UK, and that’s scary."

An Anglesey council spokesman said the authority would state its position on any proposed development as part of the planning process.

But a final decision is not expected for possibly years, with UK government ministers set to make the final judgment based on Planning Inspectorate recommendations.

Their challenge will be to balance the need for green energy with concerns over the impact of such plans.