PLANS for a huge Solar Farm in the middle of two villages on the outskirts of Llanelli would ‘destroy the rural environment, established walks and the health and wellbeing of hundreds of people,’ a leadiing Carmarthenshire County Councillor argues.
Bynea’s Brynteg Wellbeing Centre for Additional Learning Needs people of all ages – and an animal rescue centre – would be forced to close, says councillor Deryk Cundy
A proposed construction compound measuring six acres – roughly the size of 3.3 rugby pitches – would be sited just 120 metres away from the popular Brynteg Farm.
It would house cabins for workers, parking for construction vehicles and a safe environment for large amounts of scaffolding, about 10,000 tonnes of aggregate, to create 75,000 solar panels, during a construction period of a year or more.
Councillor Cundy said: ‘The Wellbeing Centre swould have to close immediately due to the dust hazard and the noise levels from both constant and intermediate shopcks.
‘To lose this irreplaceable centre of calm and tranquility will place severe stress on respite centrees and schools throughout Carmarthenshire.
‘The visual impact of 120 acres turning from green rolling countryside of hills and valley into black glass for 40 years, that cannot be screened because of the undulating lan dscape, cvan only be imagined but it will be detrimental to many living here, including people who are known to have neurodivergent issues.’
Brynteg Farm and Wellbeing Sanctuary relies on the maintenance of a calm, therapeutic environment, which is a lifeline for vulnerable visitors with complex needs.
Owner Zara John fears its future is in doubt due to the solar development plans on their doorstep.
She said the business provides specialist help for children with Additional Learning Needs who regularly visit.
‘With all the chaos in the background the children won’t be able to concentrate. The children will be afraid of noise.
‘Without the riding school I won’t be able to teach the children how to care for animals properly.
‘They won’t be able to learn to ride. It would close us down.
Zara is calling for a compromise to enable the solar farm to be built further away from the Sanctuary to ensure she can continue to offer specialist ALN provision in Bynea.
‘It’s built into these children’s indiividual development plans for a reason. They can’t be in school all day. This is their
escape.
This is their sanctuary. Are we going to take all that away for a solar farm that could be moved to somewhere else or negotiated to certain fields?’
One regular teenage visitor, Dexter Howell describes the sanctuary as a second home offering him more than just a chance to pet animals.’
‘This is the place that stops me being antisocial and start talking to people.
‘So I would hate this place to close down.’
His mum, Carrie, said: Phil and Zara both haven’t only given him an education they have really changed his life.’
Solar farms should not use valuable fields. The people that propose it need to consider more practical planning such as using large roof spaces on industrial buildings, using panels as shelters in carparks. We do not need poor planning like this to be a blight on our landscape especially when it impinges negatively on wonderful community projects like Brynteg Farm .
Dead set on ruining this beautiful country.
Put them on roof spaces!!!!!!!!!!!