Gwent Levels: Campaigners fight solar farm plan

The Gwent Levels are home to numerous species of protected animals

Environmental campaigners say plans for a solar farm on the Gwent Levels could threaten the future of the area they claim is "Wales' Amazon".

The proposed site would generate enough power for 45,000 homes and save more than three million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2), according to developers.

But those opposed say the levels should be protected from development as a site of special scientific interest (SSI).

More than 2,000 people have signed a petition calling for more protection.

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The petition launched by the Gwent Wildlife Trust has called for a "halt to significant development on the levels until full, formal protection for the landscape has been agreed".

The charity has already halted a scheme to build the M4 relief road through the area, an area of wetland between east Cardiff and Chepstow, Monmouthshire.

The developer of the proposed solar farm - between the M4 and Llanwern Steelworks near Newport and called Craig y Perthi - said the opportunities for wildlife were "enormous".

But campaigners said they were concerned about the site, 20% of which would be in a site of an SSSI and surround the community from three sides.

Adam Taylor says the Gwent Levels should not be subject to development

Adam Taylor, chief executive of the Gwent Wildlife Trust, said: "The Gwent Levels are one of the most threatened SSSIs in Wales.

"SSIs only cover 8% of the area of the whole of Wales, and we think these sites should be sacrosanct and shouldn't be subject to development. Ninety-two percent of Wales is available for solar and other sustainable developments and we would recommend that these developments take place there instead".

Campaigners say planning laws need to be amended to protect the long-term future of the Gwent Levels.

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Mike Webb, from the Gwent Wildlife Trust, said: "It's been here for thousands of years. It's the result of the interaction of humans with nature.

"We're not calling for a moratorium on every single, small for example domestic planning application. It's a moratorium on major developments on the levels."

Diana Callaghan, who has lived in the area for 25 years, said: "It's a wonderful place to be, but as a resident I fear this area is really under threat.

"We can't keep covering our landscape with plastic and glass and buildings and cement, because the planet needs green space to survive as well".

Robin Johnson, who describes himself as an ecologist, says birds and reptiles could thrive on the site

Robin Johnson of JMB Solar, part of power generating company RWE, and project manager for the site, said he recognised how important it was to look after the wildlife benefits of the solar farm.

He said: "The opportunities for wildlife here are enormous.

"With a solar farm you are only penetrating about 1% of the ground because panels sit above ground, and underneath the panels you have a diverse grassland which encourages the local wildlife, especially reptiles and birds that can thrive on a solar site as opposed to an intensively managed agricultural site."

About 5,000 people have signed the petition so far, which needs 10,000 signatures by late January to be debated in the Senedd.

The Welsh government said: "We are working on strategic planning guidance to protect the Gwent Levels from unacceptable biodiversity and landscape impacts.

"We have also updated national planning policy to ensure there is enhanced protection for all sites of special scientific interest."

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