Campaigners warn the area known as The "Amazon rainforest in slotxo Wales" is in jeopardy by the development of energy.Friends of the Gwent Levels said wetlands should be out of range because they are vital to rare wildlife.The Minister will consider whether to allow the building. "The renewable energy hub" on the protected area?The Welsh government said it was unable to comment on the live applications.Developers say the project, which can supply clean energy to 40,000 homes, will help restore nature.Stretching from Cardiff's eastern border to the Severn Bridge, Gwent Levels is a unique landscape seized from the sea in Roman times.The low meadows and salt fields are a 900-mile-long ancient drainage ditch known locally as "reens", home to hundreds of endangered species, including owls, diving beetles and duckweed. The root, which is the smallest flowered plant in the world.The area has become popular in recent years as part of discussions about building the M4 relief road - a plan that First Minister Mark Drakeford has been suspended in part due to The "very important weight" he places on environmental issues.After the election results they saw as a longer rejection of motorways' proposals, area campaigners now see the power plan submission to the new front.It could prove to be a tougher battle, with Wales aiming to generate 70% of its electricity from green energy sources by 2030.
'Crazy and scary'
While "apparently favoring renewable energy," said Friends of the Gwent Levels co-chair Catherine Linstrum (FOGL), it was an important plan, not located on unsuitable land.We cannot deal with a climate emergency by compromising with nature," she said, adding that it was "crazy" and "scary" seeing the scale of development that was under consideration by the local communityThe new climate change department in the Welsh government is now responsible for energy and planning.One of the first decisions was to approve what would become the largest solar farm in Wales, running 155 hectares between the villages of St Bride's and Peterstone, one of the areas of particular scientific interest in the region.The proposal comprises approximately 250,000 solar panels, 160 battery storage units, underground cables, grid-connected hubs and other related infrastructure over a period of 40 years.The report by the planning inspectorate was sent to the Welsh government at the end of March - ministers have 12 weeks to make a decision.
'Giant energy park'
Dr Diana Callahan, co-chair of FOGL, said the decision had This "real fear" may be a precedent that will result in the area becoming "real fear". "Giant energy park"The Gwent level is flat and attracts a lot of sunlight at the estuary, and we know there are applications pending right now - one very large solar farm on the east level and another." That was approved at Llanwern, ”she saidIf this goes forward, it represents 10% of the Wentlooge Levels area. We cannot lose this important natural site any more.While those who hope to build this project have to reduce their environmental impact. But campaigners claim that there is no guarantee that these will work and that they will risk harm. "The ecosystem is very fragile" is too much.Mike Webb of the Gwent Wildlife Trust said it was "hard to believe the size" of the project, explaining: "Such a unique landscape will be covered in the horizon with a quarter of a million sheets of metal, glass and plastic.No one has ever tried to build a giant solar farm on a fragile and complex wetlands,
this is the first project in Wales and Great Britain, so no one knows exactly what the impact will be,But places with special scientific interest cover just 12% of Wales - hundreds of thousands of hectares that are more suitable for projects like these."Peter Grubb, Savills Head of Planning, who represents developers - Wentlooge Farmers' Solar Scheme Limited, said the project was "Symbol of the Welsh Green Energy Transition"This site was chosen because "Flat terrain size, low agricultural rating, effect of solar irradiation" from "bounce" from the coastal position "and proximity to existing grid connections.He said the project would offer a better environmental management of shrub habitats and nearby "rain" while providing the planting of new wildflowers for karder bees. Endangered howls and an area of 22.1 hectares have been specifically managed to support Lapwing breeding.
