A SECOND much larger solar farm could be built in the Usk Valley if the latest proposal gets approved by Monmouthshire planners reports ANDY SHERWILL.

Previously a scheme for around 21,000 panels was approved on land at Llancayo.

But the latest application is for around 32,400 photovoltaic panels to be placed on fields covering approximately 31 hectares at Kemeys Commander, and the site is just a mile from the solar farm at Llancayo.

However residents of the Usk valley are objecting to the proposal at Lower House Farm in creating another solar farm in their area.

An objector said this is prime agricultural land and added, "This time the solar farm will be close to the River Usk and clearly visible from the well-known Usk Valley Walk footpath and other surrounding public pathways on the hillsides bordering this part of the Usk Valley.

"The proposed solar farm will be built on a Special Landscape Area which also borders a Site of Special Scientific Interest."

A report to Monmouthshire County Council produced by Buckle Chamberlain Partnership Ltd states that, "Whilst views of the Llancayo Solar Farm are possible from public footpaths on elevated positions the proposed development site Lower House Farm is comprehensively screened by existing woodlands and riverside tree planting.

"It is therefore considered that the land at Lower House Farm could accommodate a proposed new solar development with only minimal impacts upon the landscape character and visual amenity of its immediate surroundings and no impact upon the wider Usk and Ollway Valleys Special Landscape Area."

The application is currently being consulted on and its findings will be brought before the planning authority in due course.