Key Stages
Ecology Surveys, Community Engagement and Planning
As the project is for a solar farm with a generating capacity of under 10MW (9.99MW), the project is determined under the Town and Country Planning Act (TCPA) regime. Following the completion of consultation on the project in late Summer 2025, we will submit a planning application to Neath Port Talbot Council, who will assess and determine whether our application is granted planning consent.
The planning application will be informed by a suite of ecology surveys which have been undertaken at the site over the past year.
Community engagement has commenced and will continue throughout the planning process and beyond.
Construction
A detailed Construction Management Plan will be submitted as part of the planning process.
There will be an increase in vehicle traffic during construction, particularly for delivering solar panels, fencing, and equipment. A Traffic Management Plan is put in place to avoid peak hours and minimise impact on local roads and residents. Wherever possible, existing farm tracks or access points are used.
The project is likely to take 3 to 6 months to build, depending on weather and detailed planning. Work will be conditioned to be done during normal daytime hours (e.g. 8am–6pm, Monday to Saturday), with minimal additional activity.
Once complete, traffic and activity levels drop dramatically — with only occasional maintenance visits. Landscaping is finalised, and native plants or hedgerows are restored or added for visual and ecological benefit.
Operations and Longevity
The solar farm will be operational for a period of forty years, as per the conditions of the planning permission that is being applied for. It will be a good neighbour – unlike other energy sources, solar farms generate electricity virtually silently and require minimal maintenance and vehicular access once built.
Decommissioning
The decommissioning of the project at the end of its lifespan and the restoration of the site will be secured as part of the planning process.
