Get the biggest stories sent straight to your inbox Sign up for regular updates and breaking news from WalesOnline Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Fears over two species of birds have thrown plans for a £15m solar farm in Cardiff into doubt.

Cardiff council is planning to build a 42-acre solar farm, which could power 2,600 homes, at the former Lamby Way landfill site.

But Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has raised "significant concerns" about the plans which could threaten two species of birds which roost alongside the site.

Cardiff council's planning committee had been due to discuss the plans on April 17 but the project was pulled from the agenda at the last minute.

Gemma Beynon, development planning team leader at NRW said: "We have formally responded to the local planning authority setting out significant concerns in response to the planned solar farm at Lamby Way waste site.

"Our main concern is potential disturbance of two species of birds, redshank and dunlin, who roost on the Rhymney River spit alongside the site.

"We are working closely with Cardiff council to try and resolve these concerns before planning permission is granted.“

There would be around 31,688 panels at the solar farm able to produce a maximum of 8.7MW of green energy for the National Grid, reducing the city's carbon footprint by 1,600 tonnes a year.

The solar farm would have a 35-year lifespan. After that time, it would be de-commissioned and all equipment would be dismantled and removed from the site.

A two-metre security fence and CCTV camera pole will also be installed.

Pete Jordan, development planning manager at NRW, added: "Increasing the use of renewable energy is vital to improving air quality, tackling climate change and supporting the future prosperity of Wales.

"The issue in this case is not the principal of developing a solar energy scheme, but rather the detail needed to demonstrate with confidence that a scheme at this location won’t inadvertently damage a site of European significance for biodiversity.

"We continue to provide advice to Cardiff to support their consideration of the scheme."

Cardiff council's planning committee next meets on May 15.