Clwyd MS Darren Millar has spoken out against plans for a major new solar energy storage scheme covering more than 180 hectares of farmland north and south of Bodelwyddan.

Energy company Stantec UK Limited, acting on behalf of London-based Bodelwyddan Solar and Energy Storage Ltd, has applied to Conwy County Council’s planning department to construct and operate the development, which also includes a cable corridor linking the site to Bodelwyddian Substation.

However, Darren is against the proposals and believes that prime agricultural land should be protected. 

He said:

"This industrial scale development will result in the loss of 180 hectares of prime agricultural land. It's totally unacceptable at a time when global uncertainty means that food security is more important now than ever.

"You could fit two traditional nuclear power stations into a 180 hectare footprint site and each could produce nine times the energy output of this project.

"I'm all for solar power but let's install panels on roof spaces, on top of warehouses and above car parks, not an an industrial scale on our farmland."