Plans for a new solar energy farm in Wales are causing a bit of a stir. Local NIMBY campaigners are opposing the construction the 350 MW-capacity farm in Anglesey, with Martin Schwaller, chairman of the local branch of the countryside charity CPRW, saying:
“While it’s great that we can host more renewable generation, and contribute to addressing climate change, this development is enormous and will cover thousands of acres of high quality farmland with black glass solar panels. The impact on the landscape and visual amenity of both residents and visitors could be quite dramatic. The Welsh Government does not permit development on the ‘best and most versatile’ farmland, however, because of the scale of the project it will be the UK Secretary of State that makes the final decision and worryingly UK policy does not have the same protections as Welsh policy.“
That’s typical of anti-solar farm arguments. Unbelievably, though, Martin Schwaller also happens to be the Green Party parliamentary candidate for Ynys Môn, standing against Tory MP Virginia Crosbie. The Greens’ credentials stop where the solar panels start….
