Climate

Plaid motion seeks tougher rules on major wind and solar schemes in Carms

Published

7 months ago

November 13, 2025

A PLAID CYMRU motion calling for stricter conditions on large windfarm and solar developments in Carmarthenshire was agreed at a full council meeting on Wednesday (Nov 12).

The motion urges the Welsh Government to “pause” new Developments of National Significance (DNS) and future Strategic Infrastructure Project applications for major renewable schemes until stronger safeguards are put in place. Councillors argued that the cumulative impact of multiple large projects is not being fully considered and that undergrounding of distribution cables should become standard practice.

During the debate, several members raised concerns that Wales is being used primarily as a generator of green energy, with too few benefits staying in local communities. They stressed that while the transition to low-carbon energy is essential, communities must have greater control over how schemes are planned and delivered.

A separate proposal put forward by two Reform UK councillors, calling for a full moratorium on all wind and solar applications, was not approved. Members said such a blanket halt would block well-designed, community-owned renewable projects.

Concerns over landscape, infrastructure and food production

Cllr Handel Davies, who introduced the Plaid motion, said the intention was not to oppose renewable energy but to ensure proper scrutiny of its impacts. He said large turbines, pylons and associated infrastructure were reshaping rural landscapes, disrupting biodiversity and creating long-term effects on farming and tourism.

Cllr Denise Owen told colleagues that residents in Llanybydder and surrounding areas felt overwhelmed by the volume of applications. She said that while each scheme might appear manageable when viewed alone, the combined effect of heavy construction traffic, pylons and substations was “relentless”.

Cllr Arwel Davies said many rural communities in the north of the county were alarmed by proposals for even bigger turbines in forestry and upland areas. He argued that Welsh Ministers must fully consider the cumulative impact before granting further consents.

Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, said Carmarthenshire was committed to reaching net zero but warned that Wales had historically been treated as a resource to be exploited. He said the county wanted renewable energy to deliver long-term economic benefits locally, rather than profits flowing out of Wales.

On solar projects, Cllr Hefin Jones raised concerns that large-scale developments could displace food production at a time when global instability is making both food and energy security increasingly important. He said smaller, well-designed schemes could work alongside agriculture, but called for a pause on major solar DNS applications until balance is restored.

What the motion calls for

The notice of motion sets out several expectations the council wants the Welsh Government to meet before any new major wind or solar applications are accepted. These include:

a clear plan for assessing cumulative impact across all outstanding applications
a commitment to undergrounding new transmission lines of 132kV and above
clarity on how the electricity network will be upgraded to manage future demand
better alignment between planning regimes for generation sites and transmission routes
assurance that new projects will not be approved unless they can be delivered and connected in a way that respects local communities and landscapes

Members said Carmarthenshire already makes a substantial contribution to Wales’ renewable energy output and supports small-scale and locally-owned schemes. However, they insisted that a stronger framework is needed to ensure the rapid expansion of large developments does not come at the cost of rural communities, farmland or natural habitats.

Climate

Royal Welsh Show visitors urged to travel sustainably

Published

2 days ago

June 11, 2026

Tom Sinclair

VISITORS to this year’s Royal Welsh Show are being encouraged to use public transport as organisers look to ease congestion and promote more sustainable travel.

The show takes place at the Royal Welsh Showground in Llanelwedd, Builth Wells, from July 20 to 23, and is expected to attract thousands of people from across Wales and beyond.

The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society said rail and bus services would provide convenient options for showgoers, with free shuttle buses running from Builth Road railway station to the showground, which is just over a mile away.

Discounted admission

Visitors travelling on the Heart of Wales Line with a valid rail ticket will be able to buy discounted show admission tickets from conductors and ticket offices along the route.

The discounted prices are £35 for adults and £11 for children. Children under 16 can travel free by train when accompanied by a fare-paying adult.

Transport for Wales said rail services would connect visitors from across Wales and the borders, including routes from Cardiff through some of Wales’ most scenic countryside. TrawsCymru bus services will also provide another option for those travelling to the event.

Family activities

Transport for Wales and Network Rail will also have an interactive stand at the show, offering family-friendly rail safety activities and entertainment.

Activities will include VR headset experiences, story time sessions, badge-making classes and rail safety performances. Builth Wells Male Voice Choir is also due to visit the stand on the first day of the show.

Children under 16 travelling to the show by train on the Heart of Wales Line will be able to collect a free activity sheet on board and hand in their completed artwork at the Transport for Wales stand for a chance to win a prize.

Visitors are being urged to plan their journeys in advance through the Transport for Wales website and journey planner.

Travel encouraged:

Visitors to the Royal Welsh Show are being urged to consider rail and bus services this year (Pic: RWAS).

Climate

Welsh Conservatives call for moratorium on major wind and solar schemes

Published

4 days ago

June 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

CALLS have been made for an immediate moratorium on industrial-scale solar and windfarm developments in Wales amid concern over the loss of productive farmland.

The Welsh Conservatives say the Welsh Government should pause major renewable energy schemes and urgently review the planning rules for Developments of National Significance.

Party leader Darren Millar MS said Future Wales 2040, the national planning framework, gives too much weight to large-scale renewable energy projects and risks allowing solar farms and windfarms to be built at the expense of food production.

Planning row

The row comes as Wales faces pressure to increase renewable energy generation while also protecting agricultural land, rural landscapes and farming communities.

Under the Developments of National Significance process, major infrastructure projects, including some large renewable energy schemes, are decided by Welsh Ministers rather than local councils.

Supporters say the system is needed to deliver clean energy and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, while critics argue it can leave communities feeling that decisions are being taken out of their hands.

Mr Millar said: “In opposition, the now First Minister campaigned against industrial-scale renewable developments in his own constituency for fear of the impact it would have on valuable farming land. Now in government, he needs to act accordingly to protect prime agricultural land.

“The current planning framework is fundamentally flawed. Future Wales 2040 creates an assumption in favour of industrial-scale solar farms and windfarm developments across great swathes of rural Wales, putting productive farmland at risk.

“We support renewable energy and recognise its role in achieving energy security and reducing emissions, but those developments should not be at the expense of Wales’ food security.

“Renewable developments should be appropriate in scale and sensitive to their environment, making better use of the roofs of buildings and car parks.

“The Welsh Government should introduce an immediate moratorium on industrial-scale solar and windfarm developments and undertake an urgent review of the planning framework for Developments of National Significance so Wales can take a more balanced approach to Wales’ energy future.”

Climate targets

The Welsh Government says renewable energy is central to meeting Wales’ climate targets and improving energy security, but that projects must go through the planning system before consent is granted.

Supporters of large-scale renewable schemes argue they are needed to cut emissions, reduce reliance on imported energy and help stabilise electricity supplies. Some farmers and landowners also see renewable projects as a source of income at a time when the agricultural sector is under pressure.

However, opponents say the scale and location of some proposals risk damaging landscapes, reducing food-producing land and leaving rural communities with too little say over major developments.

Business

Officers to decide outcome of turbine scheme after receiving bats report

Published

1 week ago

June 6, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A PEMBROKESHIRE wind turbine scheme which was recommended to be refused over a lack of information on how it may affect bats, which led to it being previously withdrawn, has gained some breathing space to address the issue.

In December of last year, in an application recommended for refusal at Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Constantine Wind Energy Ltd sought permission for a 76-metre-high wind turbine at Summerton Farm, Sageston.

Back in 2024, an application to replace a current 60.5m high turbine on the site with one up to 90 metres, or just under 300 foot, at the site was refused on the grounds its height and scale would have a detrimental impact on the visual amenity of the locality, with the additional clause of failing to comply with supplementary guidance.

A report for committee members on the latest application says the smaller turbine than previously proposed, representing a 16-metre increase in height from a previously granted turbine “would not be sufficient for it to become an overbearing feature in the landscape,” with no objections from either the Council Landscape Officer or Natural Resources Wales.

However, concerns were raised by the council ecologist that the applicant’s Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Report was incomplete, with a bat survey not included.

It was recommended for refusal on the grounds that appraisal report, and technical note, “do not adequately address the impact of the proposed wind turbine on bat activity in the area”.

At the December meeting, members heard the scheme had been temporarily withdrawn to deal with issues raised, the application returning to the June meeting, again recommended for refusal on a lack of information on the potential impact on bats.

A report for members ahead of the June meeting says the application was withdrawn from the December agenda to allow the applicant time for consideration of the Council Ecologist’s request for further survey work.

It said the applicant had started a bat survey programme, with further surveys due to take place in July and September, the applicant asking for the matter to be deferred in November.

At the June meeting, Richard Grisk, on behalf of the applicants, referenced the additional surveys, calling for a further deferral, saying it would be far most cost efficient and effective for all parties, the applicants intending to resubmit an expected to be near-identical scheme, other than the bat reports, if it was refused.

After a great deal of deliberation on the matter, Cllr John Cole, who had initially proposed a deferral, moved the scheme be decided by officers under delegated powers.

This would allow them to either approve or refuse after the bat reports have been received.