Proposals

Our plans for Craig Y Perthi Solar Farm will save the equivalent of over 3.18 million tonnes of CO2.

Building a brighter future

Craig Y Perthi Solar Farm would be located south of the M4, north of the Llanwern Steelworks, and to the east/west of Bishton, in Newport, South Wales.

The wildlife-centric design of the solar farm will greatly benefit local wildlife, with the cessation of the use of pesticides and fertilizers, alongside the creation of vast high-quality habitats, including 30 acres of enhanced lapwing land, and over 89 acres of new wildflower meadow enhanced for Shrill Carder Bees. The existing farm businesses will continue to run harmoniously alongside the solar, with free-range chickens and sheep to continue to graze the grassland underneath and around the panels, with no good quality farmland being taken out of use.

Our proposals have been improved by local feedback, with increased buffers from houses (a minimum of 75m), additional mature tree/hedgerow planting (increased from 2km to 11.3km of new planting), over 2km of new permissive walkways through the site, and additional open green spaces, including a community orchard, created. Your comments matter, and the team will continue to listen, learn, and where appropriate, amend the designs, to ensure local feedback is incorporated.

The displacement of over 3,180,000 tonnes of CO2 from equivalent fossil fuel energy, which equates to taking c. 707,000 cars off the road for a year

New green infrastructure such as enhanced/restored rights of way, over 2km of new permissive paths, outdoor picnic areas, outdoor educational space, a community orchard and information boards

Genuine benefits for local residents including a £300,000 community benefit fund in addition to rooftop solar for all local schools/community buildings

The ability for over 95% of the site to be used for sheep or chicken grazing and remain in farming use, allowing topsoil to recover, by increasing soil organic matter and improving the soil structure

>50% biodiverisity net gain providing ecological benefits through new habitats, such as wildflower meadows, grassland areas, dedicated lapwing habitat, bird nesting boxes and beehotels

11.3km of new hedgerow / trees including a mix of mature and semi-mature tree planting to further improve screening and habitat creation

Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on site, ensuring the solar farm can be as flexible as possible in delivering energy to the grid

Over £10m generated in business rates over the lifetime of the project

Common Myths About Solar Power

Site Location Plan

Layout and Landscaping

Photomontages

Virtual Exhibition

Have your say

Participate and let us know what you think of our proposals for the Solar Farm.

Have your say