A population of Britain’s native red squirrels is under threat from plans to build a sprawling wind farm.
A wildlife charity is fighting the proposals, saying it would increase the chances of the species’ local extinction in mid Wales.
The construction of 19 turbines in a forest east of Lampeter, Ceredigion, has been put forward by renewable energy firm Galileo Empower.
But the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales (WTSWW) said the Bryn Arau Duon Forest in Carmarthenshire, which offered a “rare refuge” for red squirrels, would also be affected by the plans.
The WTSWW now leads the Mid Wales Red Squirrel Partnership (MWRSP) which has been committed to protecting the red squirrel population for more than 20 years in the forest – which is devoid of invasive grey squirrels.
It is thought that the mid Wales colony is one of only three colonies of red squirrels in Wales, with the other two both being in north Wales.
Galileo Empower has claimed its planned 89 acre (36 hectare) site, known as Bryn Cadwgan Energy Park, was already a commercial forestry plantation where felling and extraction are present.
Alongside the 230-metre-tall wind turbines, the site would feature solar panels, a substation and battery storage.
Britain’s native red squirrels are under threat from a plan to build wind turbines in a forest
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PA
The proposed location is on the Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion border roughly 10 miles north of Llandovery and six miles south of Tregaron.
WSTWW boss Sarah Kessell said that although she “understands the necessity for renewable energy develops… we believe that development should not come at the expense of nature”.
She continued: “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.”
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Bryn Arau Duon Forest (pictured) does not have any grey squirrels and is a refuge for red squirrels
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NATIONAL FOREST FOR WALES
Last winter, around 440 acres of the forest suffered severe storm damage.
According to Galileo Empower, this included 22 acres of the proposed turbine site.
A spokesman for the company said: “Climate change is one of the greatest threats to biodiversity.
“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.”
The proposal would see 19 wind turbines built
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PA
The firm added that it planned to create “new broad-leaved woodland, providing food and corridors for red squirrels, with canopy bridges aiding movement across tracks”.
The spokesman said: “We are keen to continue working closely with the wildlife trust to help achieve this balance.”
The public consultation on the plans closed on October 1.
Later this year, applications will be submitted to Welsh Government officials.
Red squirrels have lived in the UK for around 10,000 years – but their numbers have plummeted after grey squirrels were introduced from North American in the 1800s.