Cardiff Solar Farm Gets Planning Approval
A 40-acre solar farm in Cardiff has been recommended for approval and the plans are now moving forward. Earmarked for the old landfill site at Lamby Way, Rumney, the facility would generate 7.5 megawatts of green electricity and have a lifespan of 35 years. A business case for the scheme was backed by Cardiff Council’s cabinet last year and the local authority’s proposal has now received the support of planning officers. Last year, the council said it had been working with an organisation located close to the site which had agreed, in principle, to use 4.5 MW of from the solar farm over 20 years, with the remaining 3.5 MW of electricity being sold to the National Grid. More than 30,000 solar panels arranged in rows are included in the installation, as well as a security fence, 2.2 metres in height, which will be erected around the site and 39 camera poles, approximately three-to-four metres high, which will be put in place, each pole supporting a CCTV camera for surveillance. According to a report to be scrutinised by councillors, the development is considered to comply with local and national planning policies, which advise local authorities to “facilitate all forms of renewable and low carbon energy development” and “give significant weight to the Welsh Government’s targets to increase renewable and low carbon energy generation”, In addition, the council’s ecologist has looked into the impacts this project could have upon the neighbouring nature conservation designations and the ecologist is satisfied that there will be no adverse effect upon the integrity of the Severn Estuary sites, nor will there be any harmful impact upon the Severn Estuary SSSI or wildlife interests. Meanwhile, Natural Resource Wales (NRW) is said to currently take a different view and hold “significant concerns” regarding the potential for an adverse effect from the proposed development on the integrity of the Severn Estuary’s status as a designated special area of conservation and special protection area. A revised assessment is being prepared to address NRW’s current concerns and the body’s final comments will be reported to committee.
Cardiff Gets Set for New Transport Infrastructure
Plans are approved and construction under way on a new road that will connect Cardiff with the east side of the city. The £57.3m project will see the development of a new dual carriageway between Roverway and Cardiff Bay (A4232 Butetown Tunnel), hoped to bring increased mobility as well as congestion relief for those in and around the Welsh capital. Preparatory work has been completed over the last few weeks though construction was launched by Edwina Hart, Welsh Government Minister today. The Eastern Bay Link Road is expected to be completed by spring 2017 and hoped to be a long-term solution to ongoing traffic problems on the cityâs busy Tyndall Street. Amongst improving the transport infrastructure, and thus improving mobility and reducing journey times, the project is also expected to bring a significant economic boost to the city. Edwina Hart suggested that that the Eastern Bay Link Road development would create numerous jobs and apprenticeship opportunities over the next year. In fact, the total number of employment opportunities as a direct result of the build is predicted at in excess of 100. She added that, after completion, the new road would also support wider economic growth by better connecting surrounding regions with the capital and improving access to Central Cardiff Enterprise Zone. The brand new dual carriageway will also integrate a pedestrian footway and cycle path across its entire length. The road will therefore not only benefit road users but also incentivise so-called green travel by encouraging carbon-free travel. The road spells more good news for the region after Chancellor George Osborne announced the Severn Bridge tolls would be halved by 2018 in yesterdayâs budget. Some 13 million vehicles pay for privilege of crossing the Severn Bridge every year and the move will, like the Eastern Bay Link Road, facilitate increased mobility in the country. Manufacturing & Engineering Magazine | The Home of Manufacturing Industry News
