Plans for a major solar farm and battery energy storage scheme covering more than 180 hectares of farmland near Bodelwyddan have sparked opposition from Clwyd MS Darren Millar.

Energy company Stantec UK Limited, acting on behalf of London-based Bodelwyddan Solar and Energy Storage Ltd, has submitted proposals to Conwy County Borough Council for the large-scale development on land north and south of Bodelwyddan.

The application also includes a cable corridor linking the proposed site to Bodelwyddan Substation.

Mr Millar has criticised the plans, arguing that valuable agricultural land should be protected at a time when food security is becoming increasingly important.

“This industrial scale development will result in the loss of 180 hectares of prime agricultural land,” he said.

“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 at an industrial scale on our farmland.”

The proposals form part of a growing push for renewable energy developments across North Wales as governments seek to reduce carbon emissions and increase energy security.

The Welsh Government has set ambitious targets for renewable energy as part of its wider net zero strategy, including aims for Wales to generate the equivalent of 100 per cent of its annual electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2035.

Planning policy in Wales also supports the expansion of renewable and low-carbon energy developments where schemes are considered environmentally acceptable and contribute towards tackling climate change.

Large-scale solar developments have become increasingly common across Wales and the UK in recent years, particularly when linked with battery energy storage systems designed to store electricity generated during daylight hours for use during periods of high demand.

Supporters of such schemes argue that solar farms can help reduce reliance on fossil fuels, strengthen energy resilience and provide cleaner electricity generation. However, developments on agricultural land have also attracted criticism from some politicians, farming groups and local residents concerned about landscape impacts and the loss of productive farmland.

The proposed Bodelwyddan scheme is expected to be considered by Conwy planners following consultation and assessment of environmental and technical reports submitted as part of the application.