The Proposals
Qualitas Energy is consulting on plans for a new solar farm, located to the east of the M4 motorway in Neath Port Talbot.
Site location plan (click to enlarge)
Why this location is suitable for solar energy generation
The proposed site, on the plateau at Margam Mountain east of Port Talbot and the M4, north of Margam Country Park, has been identified to provide new solar facilities because:
The site benefits from an existing on-site grid connection, meaning the site can produce clean solar energy without needing to construct new pylons or overhead lines.
There is limited visibility of the site from nearby settlements or from Margam Country Park, which are lower lying.
There is a very low number of residences near the site, which would have limited visibility of the site due to existing trees and vegetation bordering the site along with the site’s topography.
The site is not in a flood risk area.
The site benefits from extensive screen planting.
This land, which does not include Best and Most Versatile agricultural land, will be kept in agricultural use with sheep grazing between solar panels.
There is an opportunity to deliver a net benefit for biodiversity on-site with nature benefits to be integrated with the scheme’s design through habitat creation and new planting.
There is also the opportunity to provide an additional and alternative walking route which would run to the southern edge of the site.
The site benefits from an existing access route, which is well screened and used by NRW for its forestry activities.
Once operational, the solar farm would generate c.40MW of clean energy every year - enough to power approximately 10,770 homes, more than half of the homes in Port Talbot.
Designations plan
Historic Landscape
The Site is located within Margam Mountain Historic Landscape. Margam Park-Registered Park and Garden and Conservation Area is located 800m to the south of the Site. Within 1km of the site there are 11 Scheduled Monuments (including Chain Home Low Radar Station to the immediate west and Half Moon Camp to the immediate south) as well as 37 Listed Buildings. We are closely considering this context as we prepare our plans for the site. Potential enhancement opportunities include replanting of lost hedgerow boundaries and reinstatement or repair of historic walled boundaries, retention of the historic trackways and provision of information boards.
An Indicative Site Layout
Our emerging plans for the site
We are currently at an early stage of preparing our plans for the site and the scheme’s design will be refined as the plans progress and we obtain local feedback. As part of this, we have submitted a Scoping Opinion Request to Neath Port Talbot Council that considers what topics should be assessed in the Environmental Statement.
We are exploring options to deliver solar panels on the centre and east of the site, with the west of the site reserved for mitigation and enhancements for nature. The existing Public Right of Way running through the site will be retained in its current position, and we would also protect existing vegetation and hedgerows on the site. Similarly, we are looking at utilising existing wetland habitat surrounding waterbody for ecological enhancements and will avoid developing on existing waterbodies in the site.
The proposed solar panels would be around 3 metres high in total, a similar height to a typical garden fence. A substation would be delivered on the west of the site, adjacent to the existing pylon which is considerably lower than the neighbouring windfarm (146.5 metres height at its tip).
Our landscape-led layout is progressing to respond to key considerations including ecology, views, heritage, and the existing Public Rights of Way. As a neighbour, invested in the site and solar farm for the long term, Qualitas Energy will be engaging closely with the community over the coming months as considered plans progress for the site.
The proposed access route, off the B4282, is an existing well-established and well-screened track used by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) for their forestry operations. This is primarily during the construction phase – for the operational phase of the project, this route is not expected to be needed frequently. This access route has been used for the construction of the neighbouring Mynydd Brombil windfarm and is used on an ongoing basis by existing logging operations, so it will have adequate capacity for our requirements.
A comprehensive landscape management plan is being prepared which would ensure that the proposed solar farm is well-screened from view in a way that is sympathetic to the local landscape. There is existing vegetation and forestry surrounding the site which provides natural visual screening. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) have confirmed that forestry land to the south is not anticipated to be felled. We are also seeing if we can provide additional planting along the southern boundary of the site, potentially connecting with the existing NRW woodland.
The Public Rights of Ways (PRoW) running through the site would be retained, and we are providing a buffer either side of the path to protect it and create an attractively planted routeway of benefit to wildlife. We are also seeing if we can provide alternative pedestrian route within the site creating an additional benefit. The stone wall neighbouring the PRoW, would be retained and where possible enhanced.
We are also looking to increase understanding of the Chain Holme Low Radar Station Schedule Monument neighbouring the site by installing new information signs.
Construction Route
Key facts
If approved, the solar facility would generate up to 40MW of clean, green power produced annually – enough to power 10,000+ homes. This is more than half of the homes in Port Talbot.
The project would also support the local and national transition to a sustainable and energy secure future, whilst delivering a net benefit for biodiversity.
Qualitas Energy is committed to delivering long-term, local investment through a community benefit fund as part of the project.
Extensive engagement with the local community is planned with two stages of public consultation proposed, ensuring the community have ample opportunity to find out about the proposals and provide their feedback.
Key considerations
Our landscape-led layout is progressing to respond to key considerations including ecology, views and the existing Public Right of Way (PRoW). The design life of the Proposed Development is expected to be up to 40 years.
The proposed construction traffic route to the site has previously been used for the delivery of abnormal loads associated with construction of the now operational Mynydd Brombil wind farm and is therefore likely to be adequate for construction traffic associated with the proposals.
Appropriate construction traffic management and mitigation measures will be set out and secured within a Construction Traffic Management Plan, which will be prepared to accompany the planning application. It is expected that over the anticipated 12-month construction period, the daily average construction traffic generation would not have a significant impact on the surrounding population and highway network.
During the operation phase of the proposed development, on-site activities would be limited and restricted to maintenance activities and sheep grazing. As a result, once the solar farm is operational, the effect on the local road network would be minimal.
The landscape design would ensure that the proposed solar farm is well-screened from view in a way that is sympathetic to the local landscape.
The existing Public Right of Way running through the site will be retained in its current position, with a natural separation between the route and solar panels provided through existing raised ground levels or ‘bunds’.
There are opportunities for restoration and enhancement of priority habitats will be explored and incorporated into the design proposals as part of the objective to deliver a net benefit for biodiversity. This can include improving the condition of the existing on-site hedgerows and improving existing areas of scrub within the site and new planting, alongside a reduction in grazing pressures in certain key areas. New planting could provide suitable habitats for a wide variety of birds, mammals, and invertebrates. The results of the ecology surveys will influence the site design and masterplan to ensure that the development provides a net benefit. This will be demonstrated in a net benefit assessment that will deliver substantial gain addressing local and regional biodiversity priorities.
Providing benefits for nature
Planning programme
Following this initial public consultation, a statutory 28-day Pre-Application Consultation is scheduled to be held in Spring 2026. Following this, a planning application will be submitted to Neath Port Talbot Council for its consideration, and further public consultation will be undertaken by the Council.
FAQs
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The site is located on a high plateau of fields. There is limited visibility of it from nearby settlements or from Margam Country Park, which are lower lying, due to existing vegetation which would be enhanced through proposed new planting.
Our landscape and visual assessments will minimise visibility of the solar panels on more sensitive areas of the site.
We are aware of the sensitivity of fields to the north east, which are more sloped than the remainder of the site, and will strive to minimise any visual impact through our technical work and design journey.
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The proposed solar scheme is adjacent to the proposed Y Bryn Wind Farm and Margam solar farm is also proposed for the nearby region. While they are entirely separate schemes, we recognise the cumulative impact this may have on the local community.
Renewable energy infrastructure can come forward in similar locations at a similar time, as this is often driven by available capacity on the grid.
In response, we are working to ensure the solar project is as low-impact, well-designed and community-focused as possible.
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We are committed to working with the local community to minimise inconvenience, including through consultation on haul routes and timings.
We are aware that one of the key issues for residents will be construction traffic, particularly through the village of Bryn to access the site.
A detailed Construction Traffic Management Plan will be developed as part of the planning process to reduce disruption where possible. Further details will be shared with residents as the project progresses.
Once operational there will only be 2-3 light transit van visits per month.
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A planning application under the Town and County Planning Act is being prepared. This means the application will be decided locally by Neath Port Talbot Council, rather than by Welsh Government.
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As the proposals are at an early stage, full detail about the scheme has not yet been prepared as we wanted to maximise opportunities for public feedback to shape the plans. Following a period of initial consultation in October 2025, we will consider feedback received and update our proposals.
Our intention is to hold a 28-day statutory Pre-Application Consultation (PAC) in 2026, when full details including draft planning application documents will be made available on this website for public and consultee scrutiny. Further awareness raising activity will be undertaken when PAC is launched.
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