WAYSIDE, LLANNON, LLANELLI SA14 8HJ

OBJECTIONS TO PENDERI SOLAR FARM

1. I object to the proposed development of such a large scale solar farm at this location and refer you to my submissions at the consultation stage.

2. My home, which overlooks Site A of the proposed development, enjoys uninterrupted panoramic views from the B4306 to the North East, across to Cilddewi Fawr to the east and Blaenhiraeth Fach to the South East. Site A will have an unacceptable visual impact on the landscape contrary to the local planning authority guidance requiring it not to have an adverse impact on the character, setting and appearance of the area and the surrounding landscape

3. The proposed development at Site A will deface a 1.4 km stretch of this typical Carmarthenshire wooded rural valley running from Pont Morlais in the North to Goitre Wen in the South and will have an unacceptable visual impact upon my home and neighbouring properties including Penderi Well Farm, Ciddewi Uchaf, Cilddewi Fawr, Blaenhiraeth Fach, Keepers Lodge, Llwynon, Gelliwernen Lodge and Gelliwernen Farm. This site is also visible from the accident prone A476 at many places along its route to the western side of the valley. The A476 is statistically the second most dangerous road in Carmarthenshire and there have been numerous accidents, including some fatal, on the short stretch of road between Morlais Bridge and Clochyrie in recent years. The application documentation erroneously refers to the A475 - just one of many discrepancies and omissions noted in the application documents!

4. Development of Site A is likely to cause unacceptable glint and glare at my home which overlooks the site but doesn’t even feature in the less than comprehensive Glint and Glare report undertaken for the developer. The valley is used for low flying training by military aircraft from time to time and wildfowl are frequently seen flying up and down the valley. Both are likely to be affected by glint and glare which will only be partially mitigated by so called antiglare glass.

5. If development of Site A is refused this will avoid any potential damage to the grade 11 listed Cilddewi bridge at Goitre Wen and avoid lengthy runs of power cable from this remote location to Blaenhiraeth Farm.

6. If development at Site A is refused this will avoid the adverse impact construction traffic will have on the access route from the B4306 along the U2309 Cilddewi Road which is wholly unsuitable for heavy traffic.

7. If desired, solar arrays from Site A could be relocated to the 78ha of land immediately adjacent to Blaenhiraeth Farm, which is notably left unaffected by the proposal at present.

8. Relocation of Site A nearer to Blaenhiraeth Farm would reduce the overall footprint of the proposed solar farm on the landscape and reduce the overall adverse impact of the proposed development without adverse affect on the viability of the solar farm or the proposed residual agricultural use of the farm. Local planning guidance suggests that such developments should be sited in close proximity to existing buildings and structures so as not to cause demonstrable harm to the landscape. Large scale schemes located outside defined Development Limits may be permitted where there is an overriding need for the scheme which can be satisfactorily justified, and the development will not cause demonstrable harm to the landscape.

9. Likewise, those parts of Site B adjacent to the dangerous A476 at Clochyrie should be relocated nearer to Blaenhiraeth Farm so as to reduce the overall footprint and adverse impact at this location.

10. The valley in which the proposed development is sited provides a natural haven and green belt between the nearby urban developments at Llannon, Llangennech and Llanelli. I believe this is an important feeding area for Barn owls and also for Woodcock during the winter. I understand several species of bats are prolific in this area with bats feeding over the fields concerned and also feeding along the Morlais river. Disturbance of dormice which inhabit this area seems likely. It also seems that solar panels will not increase biodiversity especially as sheep for grazing is proposed.

11. The proposal will put an award winning organic dairy farm out of production for a considerable period of time when the uncertainties of Brexit and Covid-19 bring the security of food production and access to the countryside sharply into focus.

12. The proposed development cannot be described as farm diversification in any meaningful way as the scale of the proposed development at this location renders the remaining agricultural use insignificant. This is contrary to the local planning guidance on farm diversification projects which should only be permitted where:- a) it is subordinate to, compatible with and supports the continued operation of the agricultural activity of the existing working farm, b) it is of a scale and nature appropriate to the existing farm operation.

This proposal will see 96 ha of solar arrays installed at the 174 ha holding at Blaenhiraeth farm. The proposed solar farm takes up over 55% of the holding at this location. This is not subordinate to, compatible with, supporting continued use or of a scale appropriate to the status quo ante use as an organic dairy farm. In view of the owners’ admission that no family members are interested in succeeding the farming business the argument that the proposal secures the long-term viability of the existing farm rings hollow. On the contrary, the proposed development is for the short term benefit of the Owner and the long term detriment to the locality. The owners’ farm in Brecon is some 50 miles distant and is not affected in any way by this proposal.

13. The land at Blaenhiraeth is similar to that of neighbouring dairy farms which is productive pasture capable of producing three crops of silage in a season. It cannot be described as poor land. Neighbouring farmers are aghast at such a suggestion. The land is typical Carmarthenshire countryside where dairying is predominant and flourishes. 14. Development at this location should only be considered as a last resort if all alternative sites on inferior land have been exhausted and the topography was ideal for the production of solar energy. Ideally solar farms should be sited on high, flat areas and not be subject to shading. This site is mainly on the sloping sides of a low-lying valley and subject to shading which is far from ideal!

15. The proposed development does not provide any social or community benefits which would outweigh its negative impact upon the community.

16. A Resilient Wales is supported by our agriculture and tourism industries and through the beauty of our natural, built and historic environment.

Tourism development, which can finance preservation activities, needs careful management to ensure continued enjoyment by future generations.

Sustainable agricultural practices can also assist in nature conservation and enhancement.

17. Wales’ topography can lend itself to renewable energy generation and sites in ideal locations using brown field or unproductive land should be utilised for developments of national significance so as to compliment rather than conflict with policies to maintain Wales’ resilience.

18. Having regard to the above this development should be substantially amended and scaled back so as to provide green energy without costing the earth !