PLANS to build an “innovative” solar farm on an area of wasteland near Flint Castle have been put forward to Flintshire County Council.

It has been proposed for the solar farm to be installed at the Flint Landfill Site, Castle Park, but no decision is due until June 24, 2019.

The area is popular with dog walkers and wildlife alike, but Councillor Ian Roberts was keen to stress that neither will be affected.

The newly-appointed Leader of Flintshire County Council said: “The land is contaminated having been used as the old council tip, it’s just wasteland that is not being used for anything.

“I walk that area on a regular basis with my dogs, and nobody has raised any objections to me personally.

“This is an area of land that people will still be able to walk through as there will be paths going through the solar farm.

“This will contribute towards the council’s green agenda. It’s not a wind farm and it will not have any of those (wildlife endangering) generators.

“Essentially, I think it’s a very innovative idea that brings some land that is currently not used into service. We’re also helping to improve the road and the pathways down there.”

If the plans are approved, a two-megawatt (2MW) ground mounted solar farm will be installed on the current Flint Landfill Site.

A substation, battery storage unit, inverter and transformer units, and security measures will also be put in place if the plans are given the go-ahead in June.