We, the undersigned, write to express our continued and deepening concerns about the proposals to develop two large-scale solar farms on Ynys Môn, and to urge you, the elected representatives responsible for reaching a final decision, to reject these projects in their current form.
As you will be aware, Enso Energy and Lightsource BP have either submitted or are preparing to submit applications to your respective governments for permission to develop solar farms that would, between them, cover more than 3,600 acres of productive farmland on the island. The cumulative impact of these developments would have a serious and lasting effect on Ynys Môn’s renowned natural landscapes and pose a significant threat to the future viability of the local farming industry. In addition, these proposals offer little in the way of economic benefit or long-term employment opportunities for the island. Furthermore, they would consume a substantial share of local grid capacity, limiting opportunities for more innovative, effective, and community-led renewable energy projects in the future.
While we strongly support renewable energy developments, including solar, we believe they must be delivered in ways that are both sustainable and beneficial to the communities they affect. The Alaw Môn and Maen Hir proposals fail to meet this standard. Covering extensive areas of good agricultural land with solar panels may be the cheapest option for private developers, but it comes at a high cost to the communities forced to accommodate them.
Furthermore, the UK’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill and the Welsh Infrastructure Wales Act 2024 lowers the threshold for compulsory purchase, making it easier for developers to force through land deals against local wishes. This trend threatens our rights as landowners and residents, and risks undermining community consent every step of the way.
We have repeatedly and clearly raised our concerns throughout the consultation process but we fear our concerns will not be taken seriously when reaching a final decision. We therefore urge you once again to listen to the voice of the communities that will be directly affected by these developments, and to reject the applications in their current form.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,