Why solar rather than agriculture?

It isn’t a choice – solar projects bar do both. The proposed layout for the solar project has been designed in such a way that most of the open grassland on the site will be suitable for grazing small livestock, allowing the land to retain the potential for agricultural use.

Will the energy generated provide electricity to homes in the area?

We appreciate the interest in ensuring local benefits from the solar farm. While energy prices are set at a national level and not directly controlled by individual projects, the addition of renewable energy helps to strengthen energy security and contribute to long-term price stability. We are committed to ensuring the project brings positive impacts to the local community as set out above.

What is a solar farm and how does it generate electricity?

A solar farm, which may also be known as a solar power station or solar park, is comparable to conventional crop farms. Whereas a crop farmer uses the energy from the sun to help grow their crops, solar farms use the energy from the sun to convert to electricity.

A solar farm consists of a series of solar arrays that hold all the individual solar panels (also known as photovoltaic arrays). The energy from the sun is collected in these arrays and converted into electricity.

The electricity will be provided directly to the National Grid.

Where is then Glyn Taff solar farm located?

The site sits across the wards of Rhydfelin Central, Trallwng and Treforest, in Rhondda Cynon Taf Country Borough, 2km to the east of Pontypridd town centre.

The solar farm will be located on approximately 71 hectare site of grade 4 agricultural land on the southern slopes of Eglwysilan Common, to the southeast of Pontypridd Golf Club.

What is the farm currently used for?

The site is currently used for livestock grazing.

Why did you choose this site?

It is predominantly south facing, and therefore gets a good solar resource, and is close to a grid connection point, thereby maximising the efficient export of the renewable energy produced onto the grid network system. In addition, the site does not contain any Best and Most Versatile Agricultural Land and also has good transport links to minimise disruption to the local road networks during construction and decommissioning.

What security measures will be put in place?

To ensure that the solar farm is secure to prevent theft and ensure health and safety, each field will have 2.0m high deer/stock fencing.

The perimeter of the solar farm will be protected by CCTV system which will be either pole or fence mounted, located strategically around the site. The location of the cameras will be finalised once the design is fixed.

How will the solar farm be connected to the grid?

The proposed development will connect to the electricity network via underground cables to the National Grid Substation at Upperboat, approximately 4.8 km from the site.

Who are Nadara?

Renantis UK Ltd, recently rebranded as Nadara following the combination with Ventient Energy, brings together 30 years of combined industry experience to become one of Europe’s largest renewable energy IPPs.

Nadara has an operational 4GW portfolio of around 200 onshore wind, solar, biomass, and energy storage plants, including nine wind farms with an installed capacity of 163MW in Wales.

For more information on Nadara visit Who we are or nadara.com.

How many trees and hedgerows do you anticipate will have to be cleared to carry out this proposal? Will you be planting new trees?

It is not envisaged that any trees will be removed due to the proposals. It is possible that trees may need to be pruned to allow access. The proposals aim to avoid most existing hedgerows, again some pruning may be needed to allow safe access. Generally, it is planned that existing hedgerows within the site, will be further improved by additional planting.

What ecological features are on or near the site?

The site has had a full ecological survey. As the scheme will predominantly be sighted on land currently used to graze sheep, it is hoped there will be an opportunity to increase the ecological value of the land, in some locations where grazing is restricted.

What impact will the construction and operation of the solar farm have on existing onsite ecological features?

What measures will you put in place to mitigate the impact of the development?

The proposal will take account of local features including the special landscape area.

We will position the arrays to respond to existing physical features such as ditches, public rights of way, trees, existing farm access tracks and hedgerows with arrays set back appropriate buffer distances as informed by technical guidance.

We are undertaking detailed site surveys and further assessments to review all biodiversity impacts and explore opportunities for biodiversity enhancements in developing our detailed proposals.

Will you be aiming to deliver a biodiversity net gain?

The potential impact on wildlife has been carefully considered through comprehensive ecological assessments. The design of the solar farm ensures that sunlight can still reach the ground between and beneath the panels, allowing vegetation to thrive and supporting local ecosystems. The project incorporates biodiversity enhancements, including wildflower meadows, improved hedgerows, and dedicated habitat areas to support insects, birds, and mammals. These measures will help to maintain and enhance biodiversity, creating a net ecological benefit over time.

What impact will the project have on wildlife in the area?

All ecological surveys were conducted by qualified professionals in accordance with best practice guidelines, thoroughly assessing local wildlife and habitats. Where necessary, appropriate mitigation measures will be implemented to protect and support biodiversity. We acknowledge this feedback and will review any additional information to ensure our findings remain accurate and up to date.

What are the visual impacts of the scheme and how is the visual impact of the scheme being mitigated?

The Environmental Impact Assessment EIA will be accompanied with a comprehensive Landscape & Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) including photomontages which will illustrate how the proposal will integrate into its rural setting. The LVIA will also set out a series of mitigation features which will be incorporated into the design approach including appropriate screening, boundary treatment and appropriate layout arrangements as suggested in the observations raised during the pre-application community consultation.

For people using public rights of way and Taff Trail National Cycle Route, will they be impacted, and will they be able to see the solar farm?

The right of way cuts through the site, so the farm will be visible from the path. The solar arrays will be located a suitable distance from the path to minimise obstruction for users.

What measures will you put in place to manage drainage and avoid flooding?

Although no flood risk has been identified on site, drainage infrastructure will be included to ensure the development causes no additional run-off. A Drainage Impact Assessment will be required as part of the planning application. This will be prepared by a specialist Consultant appointed by the applicant. They will liaise with the Council’s Flood Risk Team and Natural Resources Wales and agree the required methodology. This will ensure that development will not impact on the risk of localised surface water flooding and post development that any runoff rates should be better or equivalent to pre-development greenfield rates. Appropriate temporary drainage and settlement ponds to manage anticipated surface water run-off from and laydown compound areas will also be in place during construction.

Any watercourses or waterbodies are typically buffered from development, ranging from 1m – 6m depending on their size. Riparian strips provide a suitable standoff to these sensitive areas. To avoid watercourses being contaminated by construction, construction best practice and a CEMP (Construction Environmental Management Plan) is prepared for approval as part of the formal planning application along with any mitigation required in relation to drainage, ecology and water supplies.

Will there be an increase in surface water run-off due to the solar farm?

PV Panels are aligned to ensure rainwater can pass through the arrays easily and disperse evenly thus ensuring runoff will be no greater when compared to the pre-developed site. Further, existing vegetation underneath the panels is retained to help mitigate run-off and improve attenuation.

Will private water supplies be contaminated?

Protecting local water sources is a priority of the project, and we are committed to implementing strict environmental measures to prevent any risk of contamination. A comprehensive flood risk and drainage impact assessment plan will accompany the EIA incorporating robust drainage and pollution control strategies to safeguard watercourses. In addition, regular monitoring will be conducted to ensure full compliance with environmental regulations.

How many traffic movements do you anticipate per day and what kind will they be?

During the construction phase, it is anticipated that there will be some temporary effects on transport and access, particularly given the rural nature of the site and surrounding area. This is currently estimated to be in the region of circa 20 HGV movements a day with a further 15-20 movements per annum once in operation. Detailed traffic impact assessments and a traffic management plan will be provided as part of the planning application.

If planning permission is granted, when do you think construction will start?

We’ll submit plans by Spring 2025 , and if it gets approved, we are estimating to start construction in Summer 2026.

Is there potential to extend the operation of the solar farm beyond 35 years?

Any extension to the operational period of the solar farm would require a further planning application. Therefore, any plans would be subjected to the necessary scrutiny.

Will access to public rights of way network (footpaths and bridleways) be impacted during or after the construction phase?

The PRoW will not be affected by the proposals, including during the construction phase. Footpaths do cross the site, but their access will not be restricted. These will be maintained and potentially improved, where required, and will remain open and accessible to the public during construction.

There is no new PRoW planned for the scheme. Existing PRoW will be maintained, and potentially improved, where required.

What are you going to ‘give’ the local community and for how long?

At our projects we invite the local community to help us shape a community benefit package that best meets local needs and wishes.

If this project receives consent, we will work with local stakeholders to establish a community fund. We look forward to hearing from local people throughout the consultation period about what they would like to see.

Will you support local businesses during construction and operation?

We are committed to working with the Council and seeking to source as many resources as possible locally. Our workforce will also support local businesses in the retail and hospitality sectors.

How much is my electricity bill is going to be reduced by?

Unfortunately, Nadara are not an energy provider and therefore cannot provide cost reductions to household energy bills. The project is however considering a number of alternate ways in which it can contribute to the local community and welcomes any feedback and suggestions.