Proposed Penyrheol Solar Farm

We are very grateful to residents who have engaged with us to date on the proposal; your views and feedback have been key in helping us shape the outline proposal. We are now moving into the next phase of the proposed development, which is formal public consultation.

As part of this, we will be holding a number of face-to-face public consultation drop-in sessions as well as virtual sessions where you are invited to find out more about what our outline plans for the solar farm development proposal are, and crucially, to share your views on these plans.

The face-to-face sessions will be held:

  • Penyrheol Community Centre on 17 November 2022 at 9am until 11am
  • Pwll Y Pant Village Hall on 18 November 2022 at 2pm until 4pm
  • Hendredenny Park Primary School on 21 November 2022 at 5pm until 7pm

Please feel free to drop in anytime during the times shown above.

The virtual sessions will be held:

  • 17 November 2022 at 5pm until 6pm
  • 18 November 2022 at 10am until 11am
  • 21 November 2022 at 2pm until 3pm

Please email teamcaerphilly@caerphilly.gov.uk or call 01443 811484 to book a place on the virtual session. For residents unable to attend any of the sessions, there are other ways of having your say on the proposal.

You can also view the information online and comment on the consultation

We also hope the below will be useful in offering some further information on the solar farm proposal:

Where would you propose to host this solar farm?

The proposal would be to site the solar farm in a part of the farm at the Cwm Ifor Farm, Penyrheol.

The exact site, size and location will be discussed further with the community as part of the public consultation, and relevant consultants have also had an input as part of the next phase of the project. Some areas have been excluded and others added in as part of early consultation with residents. Below is a map of where the panels will be located to give an idea of what it could look like and a map showing the land it will be located on.

Map
Aerial

Has the Council already decided to build the solar farm?

No, we have decided to investigate this opportunity and understand if it is both deliverable and desirable. The proposal that the council’s Cabinet agreed to was to investigate the options for development of a solar farm at Cwm Ifor Farm, Penyrheol.

Only once we have this information and have undertaken a thorough options analysis, would a full and final business case by presented to the council’s Cabinet for consideration in 2023 if it is viable.

Why are the council looking at this scheme?

The council declared a Climate Emergency on 4th June 2019 and has committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

Who makes the ultimate decision about whether to develop the solar farm or not?

Following the conclusion of the investigation and options analysis, and if planning permission is granted by Welsh Government, the council would determine the preferred option for development of the solar farm alongside the full and final business case in 2023.

If it did proceed, would the solar farm be there forever?

Most solar farms, including this proposal, have a life expectancy of around 35 years, some receive planning extensions at the end of this timescale and these are options we will be considering as part of developing the final business case and exploring the current industry trends in the lifespan of solar panels. Wales will need more renewable energy if it is to become carbon neutral.

How has the proposal changed as the result of the initial community engagement work?

Some residents were concerned that some sections originally identified as part of the solar farm proposal were too close to properties in the area, these sections were removed to address this, and new boundaries as shown above were set.

Due to engagement with the public, we have also adjusted travel plans and will not be travelling through our housing estates during school drop off and pick up times. 

What benefits are there likely to be with a proposal like this?

There are also a range of potential community benefits that a project like this could support. Through our discussions with you, we’d like to explore and identify some preferred options should the solar farm proposal go ahead.

How can I get in touch with you?

We look forward to seeing you at one of the sessions, in the meantime, should you wish to you can contact us by emailing: teamcaerphilly@caerphilly.gov.uk or by calling 01443 811484.

If you have any special requirements or wish to speak to us in another language other than English please let us know in advance of the sessions using the details provided.

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