4.99MW solar farm at Land Adjacent To Lon Pin, Llanbedrog, Pwllheli

What was proposed

The application sought a 25-year, 4.99MW solar farm with panels, access works, fencing, landscaping, substations and underground cables.

“Proposal: A full application to install solar panels (PV) to create a 4.99MW solar farm with associated developments, including the creation of a new vehicular access and access tracks, building a fence, landscaping, installing two transformer stations to gather and distribute electricity produced and installing underground cables…”

“Description: This is a full application to install photovoltaic solar panels on existing agricultural land for a period of 25 years to create a 4.99MW solar farm. The proposed development would also include supplementary work in the form of creating a new vehicular access and access tracks, building a fence, landscaping, installing two transformer stations to gather and distribute electricity produced, installing underground cables and landscaping work.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The 13.15-hectare agricultural site was mainly grade 2 land in open countryside, within a Special Landscape Area and near public footpaths.

“⁠The closest part of the site varies in terms of distance from the development boundary of the village of Llanbedrog in the nearest places between approximately 689m to the north-west, 623m to the north-east and 709m to the north. The site is located in open countryside within landscape that could be mainly described as rolling in terms of its form.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

There was no recent planning history, but a pre-application enquiry discussed the development principle and information expected with a formal application.

“Relevant Planning History: It appears that there is no recent planning history in relation to the site. A pre-application enquiry was submitted under reference Y21/0938 where the principle of such developments was discussed and what would be expected in terms of assessments and information to be presented as part of any formal Planning application.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant described the scheme’s renewable energy, farming, ecological, community and employment benefits, while the local member urged refusal.

The decision and reasons

The application was refused because its size and location would harm the Special Landscape Area, landscape character and the visual amenities of Wern Newydd.

“The proposal was unacceptable given the requirements of criterion 1 and criterion 3 of policy ADN 2, as well as the requirements of policies PCYFF 3 and 4 and AMG 2 of the Anglesey and Gwynedd Joint Local Development Plan (2017) and a Landscape Sensitivity…”

“…and Capacity Study 2014 as a result of the size and location of the proposal within a Special Landscape Area and its visual impact on the character of the landscape, and that it has a significant harm on the residential visual amenities of nearby residents, specifically the Wern Newydd property.”

Minutes