The latest evidence, presented at the recent Planning and Environment Wales hearings regarding a new solar development, Wentlooge Solar, follows a study commissioned by the Welsh Government on the effects on wildlife following the construction of the Llanwern solar plant highlights the serious harm caused to waterways by leakage of dangerous pollutants.

The impact of the 145-hectare Llanwern Solar plant built wholly within two SSSIs is devastating, and highlights the myth of mitigation three years after the project began operating.  

One of the key issues is water pollution in the reens and ditches, affecting otters and water voles, as well as rare aquatic flora and fauna including many European protected species.

Pollution includes cadmium, which can cause long-term harm to animals and humans, and lead, linked to immune system damage, neurological problems, and oxidative stress, which is potentially carcinogenic.

A Welsh Government decision regarding Wentlooge Solar is looming – yet this scheme is proposed for the same sensitive landscape as Llanwern, despite the Welsh Government’s own report highlighting the catastrophic damage already wreaked on this internationally important and irreplaceable wetland.

In addition to water pollution, the report details many other adverse impacts on wildlife, including:

• Lapwing numbers declining: the new “Lapwing Mitigation Area” has not attracted a single lapwing pair three  years after construction. In the retained areas, breeding pairs declined from eight before construction to two after, with only one nest found on-site and no successful breeding confirmed in 2023;
• Key bee species numbers down: there have been significant declines in Shrill Carder Bee and Brown-banded Carder Bee populations within the solar array areas. Herbicide treatments on thistle plants (a favoured nectar source for the bees) in retained grassland areas and poor establishment of new wildflower planting areas are cited as possible causes;
• Bat activity declining: the level of bat activity (recorded as number of passes) on site has greatly declined, with only a single installed bat box occupied in 2023;
• Extremely rare Eurasian crane gone: prior to construction (2020-21), a pair of Eurasian Cranes were in the area, with hopes that more would follow. They have not been seen since.

Natalie Buttriss, Gwent Wildlife Trust CEO, says of the report (Gwent Levels Post Construction monitoring, part of the evidence base for Gwent Levels Future Wales: Policy 9 Pilot Project - details the damaging effects of such large developments built within and adjacent to the Gwent Levels SSSI).

 “These findings show, unequivocally, that mitigation measures to protect wildlife within the fragile and complex wetland ecosystem of the Gwent Levels SSSI, have failed catastrophically. The Levels waterways are home to many rare species, and high levels of pollution from solar plants will damage them irrevocably. The proposed solar plant at Wentlooge is significantly larger than the one at Llanwern, and will pose an even greater threat.

“What’s more, in Somerset and Norfolk, the Eurasian crane is making a thrilling comeback.  This stunningly beautiful bird appeared to be making a comeback to the Gwent Levels too, but these hopes have diminished with their absence confirmed by the Welsh Government study.”

Again, I need to stress that we are not opposed to solar energy, simply that such developments need to be located on land where they will not irretrievably damage a nationally important and designated landscape, teeming with wildlife.  It also needs to be stressed that only 12 per cent of Wales’ total land area is made up of SSSIs, these small fragments should be sacrosanct.  There is plenty of land available that does not threaten SSSIs.”