CAMPAIGNERS opposed to the proposed solar farm at Llanvapley have been surprised by the additional application to install 43 CCTV cameras on the 67-acre site.

When Camborne Energy, the company behind the scheme to install 42,000 solar panels and associated equipment on land at Manor Farm and Crossway at Perth-y-Pia, released details of the amount and locations of the CCTV cameras needed to protect the solar farm, it came as a major surprise to The Beautiful Yet THreatened (BYTH) campaigners.

The application suggests that 20 cameras will be located along the half-mile stretch of tranquil lane, which runs northwards from Llanvapley.

There are public footpaths through the site and anyone walking their dog on the circular route around the site will be captured on camera 25 times.

Les Taylor BYTH spokesman said: "There has been a lot of concern in the village about the level of security which the company feels is necessary. There are already plans for a seven-foot steel mesh fence around the site as well as the CCTV cameras.

"A number of people feel that the plans are excessive in view of the low level threats which the site faces. There is grave concern about the invasion of privacy, which these cameras represent.

"People are prepared to accept CCTV cameras if they improve personal security, but are less prepared to accept the loss of privacy when there is no benefit for them."

Mr Taylor accepted that CCTV cameras are useful security devices to capture car movements and to monitor anyone who might come up to the site on foot with the aim of causing mischief.

"However Camborne has confused residents of Llanvapley by saying that the cameras will only be pointed within the site, which many people feel is nonsense, confirming their impression that the company does not fully understand what it is doing," added Mr Taylor

The campaigners feel that the revised plan showing the CCTV cameras confirms that there have been major changes to the substation complex since the original plan was submitted.