SOLAR FARM BID NEAR NEW HOMES
PLANS for a new solar farm on the edge of Carmarthen have been lodged.
Hywel Dda University Health Board is behind the project for a 0.83 hectare of scrubland west of St David’s Park.
The is land between the Carmarthen West Link Road and the health board’s buildings at St David’s Park.
A planning application has been lodged with Carmarthenshire Council for the solar farm and associated works.
Asbri Planning, the agent for the health board, said in a statement within the application: “The solar farm will fundamentally underpin the health board’s ability to conserve natural resources, minimise carbon generation and help deliver zero carbon standards by providing a significant level of renewable energy.
“It is considered that there would be no objections in principle to the proposed solar farm, provided that no adverse effects are identified during the course of the application in relation to visual impact, heritage, ecology, amenity, transport, surface water drainage.” The report adds: “The site lies within close proximity to a number of listed buildings within St David’s Park.
“Notwithstanding, given the topography of the site, existing development and boundary hedgerows and trees, the site is not visible from these assets.
“As such, the proposal will not impact upon their setting.” The application argues that proposed residential development to the north and south of the land will have a bigger impact on the area than the solar farm.
The unrelated plans for new homes were approved in May 2018 by Carmarthenshire Council.
The solar farm application says: “It is considered that residential development will result in a greater impact than the solar farm given that the houses will be built to a higher level and are therefore more visible and as the proposed scheme is temporary in nature.
“The solar farm has a life span of approximately 20 to 25 years, upon which time the site can be returned to its original state.”
The solar farm plans will be discussed by Carmarthenshire Council’s planning committee in the near future.