No way sunshine!
A solar farm that could power half the homes on Anglesey has been rejected by councillors.
Members of Anglesey Council’s planning committee last week rejected plans to install almost 200,000 solar panels on land near Rhyd y Groes, Rhosgoch, despite it being recommended for approval.
The rejection means the application must come back in front of councillors again next month.
Members of the planning committee have previously delayed making a decision on the major proposals, lodged by applicant Countryside Renewables (North Anglesey), while more information was gathered.
In a report, the council said: “The proposed installation will incorporate arrays of free standing, ground-mounted solar PV panels, which will have an estimated maximum installed generating capacity of 49.99MW.
“It will connect to the local electricity distribution network and could produce enough electricity to power the equivalent of 15,500 homes on an annual basis.
“CO2 savings are suggested to be 612,000 tonnes, the equiva- lent of taking 14,000 cars off the road.”
The site would be operative for 30 years.
As part of the proposals, Ysgol Sir Thomas Jones Amlwch Sec- ondary School and Ysgol Gynradd Cemaes Primary School would benefit from £300,000 between them.
However, concerns were raised about the proposals by Picture: JONATHAN TRANTER Llanbadrig Community Council, Amlwch Town Council and Mechell Community Council, who all felt the proposal was too large.
The land is presently used for Picture: TIM IRELAND grazing and the application site covers around 90,000 square metres.
The locality already houses one of Wales’ oldest wind farms.
The developer previously said the proposal would see more than £6m in business rates paid over the course of the scheme, with 250 construction jobs generated over the peak six to ninemonth construction period.