‘Landscape blight’ fear from national climate goals
Fifth of rural Wales earmarked for wind and solar schemes
COUNTRYSIDE campaigners are urging landscape lovers to rise up against the planned “industrialisation” of rural Wales to meet climate change targets.
It follows the publication of the Welsh Government’s draft National Development Framework (NDF) 2020-40, which identifies 15 priority areas for solar and wind energy development.
If approved these will cover around a fifth of the Welsh countryside, replacing the seven Strategic Search Areas currently earmarked for renewables.
Under devolved powers, all projects over 10mW will be decided by the Welsh Government.
According to The Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales (CPRW), there will be a presumption of planning approval.
It said the proposals are based on “flawed methodology” and will lead to the “irrational destruction” of treasured landscapes.
Carys Matthews of CPRW said other rural assets, such as biodiversity, will also be compromised by wind turbines and solar parks.
“Visitor surveys show people come to enjoy the tranquillity and beauty of our unspoilt landscapes,” she said.
“Tourism is growing rapidly and helps sustain rural economies and farm livelihoods.
“CPRW accepts the need for renewable energy in the right place and supports economic development in rural areas, but this does not justify widespread industrialisation and irrational destruction of our landscapes.”
The CPRW is urging its supporters to lobby politicians and respond to the NDF consultation, which sets out a 20-year plan for a range of national services, including housing, transport and energy supply.
Within this plan, Cardiff needs to drive the development of renewables, having set an ambitious goal of making Wales carbon neutral by 2050. Previously it targeted 70% renewable electricity by 2030.
Of the 15 proposed priority areas for renewables, one is in Anglesey, another in Conwy. Smaller zones have been identified in Wrexham and Gwynedd. Four are in Powys.
Consultant ARUP identified the sites using a host of criteria, including heritage designations, landscape assessments and aviation constraints,
In its scoping report, ARUP stressed the decarbonisation of Welsh energy production will come at a price.
“The scale of development ... has the potential to lead to changes in terms of landscape, visual, and wider effects,” it said.
“This needs to be understood and balanced in the context of a need to reduce carbon emissions and tackle climate change.”