Controversial solar farm plans get green light

The Alaw Môn development will see panels installed across 660 acres of land near Llyn Alaw in the centre of Anglesey

A controversial plan to build a new solar farm on Anglesey has been approved by the Welsh government.

The Alaw Môn development will see panels installed across 660 acres of land near Llyn Alaw in the centre of Anglesey, producing enough energy to power around 34,000 homes.

According to Enso Energy, the 160MW plan would produce enough electricity to meet the needs of all the homes on the island.

But the project has received strong opposition, with residents worried about the loss of quality agricultural land and the increasing number of solar farms on the island.

In a joint statement, Ynys Môn MP Llinos Medi and Senedd Member Rhun ap Iorwerth said they were "very disappointed" with the decision, and accused the Welsh government of "ignoring local people's concerns".

Declaring her support for the plan, Welsh government cabinet secretary for economy, energy and planning Rebecca Evans acknowledged the potential negative factors to the plan, including a possible long-term impact on the land.

But in her letter approving the scheme, she said "the benefits of the plan outweigh any harmful effects", including the Welsh government's target to generate 70% of consumed electricity by renewable means by 2030 to combat the climate emergency.