Gwent Levels crisis raises questions over green energy projects on protected sites

FRESH concerns have been raised over the environmental cost of large-scale solar developments after new findings revealed serious damage to a protected wetland in south-east Wales.

The Gwent Levels, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) near Newport, have suffered what conservationists are calling “catastrophic” ecological harm from the Llanwern Solar Farm, a 145-hectare installation south of the former Llanwern steelworks.

Surveys have shown a collapse in breeding lapwing numbers, a sharp decline in rare bees, and the disappearance of Eurasian cranes from the area. Pollution from the site’s drainage channels is also believed to be affecting water voles, otters and aquatic plant life.

Although the Gwent Levels are over 100 miles from Pembrokeshire, the situation has raised alarm among local campaigners who fear similar damage could occur if solar developments are approved on West Wales wetlands or SSSI land.

The Herald understands that the Gwent Wildlife Trust is warning that attempts to protect wildlife at the Llanwern site have “failed catastrophically”, with only one active bat box found on-site and bee populations down significantly. Herbicide use and poor wildflower management have been cited as possible causes.

The trust is now urging the Welsh Government to halt further solar projects on protected land, including the proposed Wentlooge Solar Farm, which would be more than double the size of Llanwern.

Chief Executive Natalie Buttriss said: “The Levels’ waterways are home to many rare species, and high levels of pollution from solar plants will damage them irrevocably. If Wentlooge goes ahead, the ecological losses could be even greater.”

Ms Buttriss stressed the trust is not opposed to solar energy, but argued such developments should be placed on non-sensitive land, adding: “Only 12 per cent of Wales’ land is designated as SSSI – these fragments should be sacrosanct.”

The Welsh Government said it could not comment while the matter is being considered by Planning and Environment Decisions Wales.

The news has sparked calls from environmental groups in Pembrokeshire for a review of local planning policies. One campaigner told The Herald: “We all want a greener Wales – but we cannot sacrifice our most precious habitats in the process. What’s happening on the Gwent Levels should be a wake-up call.”

WALES’ Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies provided “no clear explanation” for a seven-year delay in plugging gaps in environmental law.

Mr Irranca-Davies was questioned about delays introducing the environment bill, which aims to halt and reverse nature loss – with one in six species in Wales now at risk of extinction.

In 2018, Julie James, then-leader of the house or Trefnydd, committed to legislation at the “first opportunity” to address a governance gap left by the UK’s departure from the EU.

The seven-year delay left Wales with the weakest environmental governance structures in western Europe, according to the Wales Environment Link charity.

Alun Davies, a Labour member of the Senedd’s legislation committee, pressed the Deputy First Minister: “The question asks itself, where have you been?”

Mr Irranca-Davies replied: “We haven’t just been standing still on this. We’ve done things here in Wales they have not done in other countries.

“We’ve taken forward the clean air and soundscape legislation… we’ve moved progress on a net-zero target… we’ve responded to the climate and nature emergency… we’ve radically redirected transport investment… so we haven’t stood still.”

“Well, you have,” Mr Davies interjected during the evidence session on June 30. “Because other countries have been doing things like that as well. The idea that no other country’s got a transport policy is for the birds. It doesn’t answer the question that was asked.”

The bill would establish the Office of Environmental Governance Wales (OEGW), with similar environmental protection bodies set up in Scotland, Northern Ireland and England in 2021.

The Labour backbencher added: “The Welsh Government will have failed to do this in this Senedd by the time this gets on the statute book, so I think we are justified in seeking an explanation… as to why this has taken two Senedds to reach this point.”

Mr Irranca-Davies responded: “There is a question of prioritising but we’re making good on the commitment but I do understand when people say ‘why are you behind?’.”

He told the committee the Welsh Government has learned from experiences in the rest of the UK but Mr Davies responded: “Well that really is scraping the barrel, isn’t it? … None of what you’ve said answers the question of why it’s taken so long.”

Pressing the Deputy First Minister, Mr Davies said: “This is a serious political failure from [the] Welsh Government in terms of the years it’s taken to reach this point. And I think the committee, in all seriousness Deputy First Minister, requires and deserves an explanation.”

He remarked: “It is striking that the government doesn’t have a very clear explanation.”

Mr Irranca-Davies suggested the issue had been deprioritised: “There are reasons why we have prioritised other work first… it’s not a capacity issue, it’s prioritisation.”

The former minister warned of complexity inhibiting accountability, saying: “Sometimes the longer the explanation, the more worried somebody gets and I’m becoming a little worried.”

He pointed to complex governance with the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act 2015, “which we were told would do most of this work”, the OEGW and Natural Resources Wales.

He said: “We’ve got so many adjoining pieces of legislation which seek to each tick a particular box but I’m just left thinking: we’re just creating a monster here.”

Challenging the Deputy First Minister to write to the committee with an organigram – a chart explaining how everything fits together – Mr Davies said: “I have to say, I haven’t got a clue.”

Mr Irranca-Davies said getting everything on one A4 page would be a challenge, prompting Mike Hedges – who chairs the legislation committee – to suggest:  “Well, if you can’t get it on one side of A4 then you need to think more deeply about what you’re trying to achieve.”

In a letter, the Green Alliance warned of a lack of safeguards in the bill on the independence of the OEGW which would be charged with holding public bodies to account.

The Senedd climate committee raised similar concerns during its meeting on June 26, which heard the OEGW would not be fully operational for at least another 18 to 24 months. Llŷr Gruffydd, the Plaid Cymru chair, asked: “What stops it becoming three or four years?”x

“Us, and also the fact that the work is already ongoing,” Mr Irranca-Davies replied. “I don’t think there will be any desire… to delay in any way, shape or form.”

Senedd Members warned the OEGW could be underfunded because the Welsh bill does not include the phrase “sufficiency of funding” unlike legislation elsewhere in the UK

Mr Irranca-Davies questioned who would determine what sufficiency of funding means as he insisted: “We’re crystal clear that the independence of the OEGW is crucial to its operation.”

PEMBROKESHIRE residents facing soaring energy bills and increasing living costs are being offered a significant lifeline with free home energy upgrades worth up to £40,000.

Smart Energy Homes, an Octopus Energy Trusted Partner, is delivering this support through the government-backed ECO4 scheme. The initiative aims to help households install essential energy-efficient improvements, including solar panels, air source heat pumps, and home insulation, entirely free of charge.

Bradley Wayman, Managing Director at Smart Energy Homes, said: “Our goal is simple: make homes warmer, greener, and more affordable to run. The ECO4 scheme provides eligible households with a life-changing package of upgrades at no cost. Many residents aren’t aware they qualify for this crucial support, which needs greater public awareness.”

What’s included? Eligible households could receive fully funded upgrades, such as:

• Solar PV panels
• Air source heat pumps
• Comprehensive insulation

All installations are carried out by certified professionals to ensure quality and safety.

Eligibility criteria The ECO4 scheme specifically targets:

• Households affected by long-term health conditions exacerbated by cold or damp conditions, such as respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, and other vulnerabilities.
• Properties with poor energy efficiency ratings (EPC ratings of E, F, or G).
• Residents receiving qualifying government benefits.
• Low-income households.

Both homeowners and private tenants (with landlord permission) are eligible to apply.

Residents can quickly check their eligibility within two minutes by visiting: https://eco4-eligibility.smartenergyhomes.co.uk/en

Why it matters for Pembrokeshire Pembrokeshire contains many older properties that are often harder to heat, resulting in higher energy costs for residents. Smart Energy Homes is committed to improving local homes’ energy efficiency, reducing both residents’ energy bills and carbon footprints.

“This is about fairness and future-proofing homes,” said Bradley Wayman. “Everyone deserves a warm, energy-efficient home, and this scheme makes it achievable without costing residents a penny.”

About Smart Energy Homes Smart Energy Homes operates across the UK, specialising in energy-efficient home upgrades. Driven by sustainability and community support, the company has already assisted thousands of households in reducing their energy costs and environmental impact, significantly enhancing their comfort and property values.

The company’s credibility is reinforced by:

• Approval as a contractor on the South-West and Wales Procurement Alliance Framework
• Trusted partnership status with the Octopus Energy Installer Programme
• A Trustpilot rating of 4.7 stars, praised for professionalism, reliability, and excellent customer support

To learn more about this transformative opportunity, visit: https://smartenergyhomes.co.uk

Watch how the ECO4 scheme works here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzA2p_NhOZ8