**Solar Farm Granted Green Light on Neath Farmland Despite Agricultural Concerns**
A major solar farm project has secured planning approval on agricultural land near Neath, marking another step forward in the expansion of renewable energy in South Wales. Neath Port Talbot Council voted unanimously to allow the construction of the solar farm at Dreamfields, Llandarcy, despite the site currently comprising mostly open grassland and gorse scrub.
The approved plans outline the installation of a ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) array capable of generating up to 1.3 megawatts of electricity. This new renewable energy facility will be built on a parcel of land formerly known as Gelli Bwch Farm. The site lies roughly 1.8 kilometres from Briton Ferry and less than a kilometre south-west of Jersey Marine, with direct access from the B4290.
According to the proposals submitted to the council, the project will involve not just the solar panels themselves, but also the development of a range of ancillary infrastructure. This includes security fencing, access improvements, and landscaping works intended to mitigate the visual impact of the installation. The panels are designed to be mounted in rows along an east-west axis and will be rotational rather than fixed, allowing them to track the sun for maximum efficiency.
Speaking to councillors, a representative of the applicant explained that the solar array would occupy two open agricultural fields, collectively covering 4.9 hectares. They reassured committee members that the impact on agricultural production would be minimal, with over 47 hectares of surrounding fields remaining available for farming. Crucially, the two fields targeted for the solar development have not been classified as the highest quality agricultural land, a point which helped assuage concerns about loss of local food production.
The planning report presented to the council clarified: “Full planning permission is sought for a proposed ground mounted solar PV array with a generating capacity of up to 1.3MW, including development of ancillary structures, fencing, and landscaping works.” The council’s planning officers recommended the scheme for approval, and members of the committee ultimately supported the expert advice.
The security arrangements at the site will include two-metre-high wire mesh fencing around the installation to safeguard the infrastructure during its operational lifespan. In addition, the developers have received separate approval for a new security gate, entrance walls, and a bin storage area, as well as resurfacing and road widening measures at the site entrance.
The solar farm is expected to operate for up to 25 years, after which point it will be decommissioned. The proposal forms part of broader regional and national efforts to reduce carbon emissions and boost the proportion of electricity generated through renewable sources. Projects like this are seen as vital steps toward the Welsh Government’s ambitious renewable energy targets.
This development comes amid a trend of mixed land use in the area. Just weeks ago, a separate planning application for a drive-through coffee shop in the vicinity was rejected by the council, underlining the varying priorities in planning decisions locally. The approval of the solar farm demonstrates the council’s willingness to support sustainable energy initiatives, while balancing the demands of agricultural interests and landscape preservation.
For local residents, the project may bring both benefits and challenges. On one hand, it promises to make use of lower-grade agricultural land for power generation, contributing to local and national sustainability goals. On the other, such schemes often raise concerns about landscape change and potential impacts on rural amenity.
As the nation seeks to adapt to a changing climate, the Neath Port Talbot solar farm will likely serve as a case study in how rural Wales navigates the complex intersection of food production, renewable energy, and environmental stewardship. Members of the public and interested parties will no doubt continue to follow the progress of this project as it moves from planning to construction.
With construction set to begin in the coming months, supporters say the development will not only supply clean energy to local communities but also reaffirm Neath Port Talbot’s place at the heart of Wales’ green energy transition.