Ceredigion forest turbine plans ‘threaten’ crimson squirrel colony

A wildlife charity is opposing plans to construct wind generators in a forest amid fears it “would increase the chances of local extinction” of crimson squirrels in mid Wales.

Renewable vitality agency Galileo Empower needs to construct 19 generators in a forest east of Lampeter, Ceredigion.

But the Wildlife Trust of South & West Wales (WTSWW) mentioned it could additionally have an effect on the Bryn Arau Duon Forest in Carmarthenshire which provided a “rare refuge” for crimson squirrels, free from gray squirrels.

Galileo Empower mentioned its deliberate 89 acre (36 hectare) website was already a business forestry plantation “where felling and extraction are already routine” however proposals included safeguarding the crimson squirrels.

The Mid Wales Red Squirrel Partnership (MWRSP), now led by WTSWW, has been working to guard the crimson squirrel inhabitants within the forest for greater than 20 years.

It mentioned, aside from the mid Wales colony, there have been solely two different Welsh colonies of crimson squirrels that are each in north Wales.

Known as Bryn Cadwgan Energy Park, the deliberate turbine website is positioned on the Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion border about 10 miles (16km) north of Llandovery and 6 miles (10km) south of Tregaron.

Trust boss Sarah Kessell mentioned whereas she “understands the necessity for renewable energy developments… we believe that development should not come at the expense of nature”.

She added: “We’re in a biodiversity crisis with one in six species at risk of extinction in Wales. We can’t risk losing another iconic species from our landscape.”

About 440 acres (178 hectares) of the forest suffered extreme storm harm final winter, together with 22 acres (9 hectares) of the deliberate turbine website, in keeping with Galileo Empower.

“Climate change is one of the greatest threats to biodiversity,” it mentioned.

“By combining renewable energy generation with robust habitat management and species protection, projects like Bryn Cadwgan Energy Park are part of the solution – tackling climate change while protecting and enhancing local ecosystems.”

It mentioned it deliberate to create “new broadleaved woodland, providing food and corridors for red squirrels, with canopy bridges aiding movement across tracks”.

“We are keen to continue working closely with the wildlife trust to help achieve this balance,” it added.

A public consultation on the plans is open until 1 October and an software is because of be submitted to Welsh government planning officials later this yr.