PLANS for a solar farm in the middle of Trefeglwys have been lodged with Powys County Council.
The application is by Colin Powell who wants to place ground mounted solar panels at farmland south of Plas Trannon, the field is between housing estates in the village.
The scheme would also include an electricity substation and all “associated works.”
It would produce 0.6 megawatts (MW) of electricity a year.
Planning agent Gerallt Davies of Roger Parry and partners explained the proposal in a planning statement.
Mr Davies said: “The proposal is less than five (5) MW and therefore considered a minor renewable energy project.
“The site is approximately 0.9 hectares in area and is currently used as an agricultural field for grazing, with estimated low ecological value and the site boundary is lined with mature trees and hedgerows.
“The proposed development is surrounded by housing estates to the north and south of site and seeks to generate sustainable energy to the national grid and local business.”
Mr Davies said that 44 solar panels would be installed at a 15 degree angle and would be mounted no higher than 2.5 metres off the ground.
The site has been chosen as it is “well located” to receive sunlight in a flat landscape that is “free” of features that could overshadow the field.
Social media posts on village Facebook pages had suggested that a public meeting would take place to discuss the solar farm proposal on Monday, January 28.
Villagers believed that the developer, Mr Powell would be holding a presentation on the proposal.
However, people who went to Trefeglwys Memorial Hall for the public meeting, found that Trefeglwys community council’s monthly meeting was taking place.
At that meeting both Powys county councillors (Plaid Cymru) Elwyn Vaughan and (Conservative) Karl Lewis who were brought in last year to help Trefeglwys council to operate, declared an interest in planning applications.
This is because they are both members of the Powys planning committee.
This left only two Trefeglwys councillors and as they need four members to hold legally quorate meetings, the council could not continue with the planning applications part of the agenda that night.
Last October, a mass resignation of seven councillors took place at Trefeglwys which left it unable to legally operate with just three councillors left.
The clerk has also resigned.
Powys council agreed to help Trefeglwys and Cllrs Lewis, Vaughan, and Cllr Les George (Conservative) have been co-opted onto the council until elections can be held to find new members.
A decision on the solar farm application is expected by March 3.
