Parc Dyffryn is a unique renewable energy project, where solar power and nature will intertwine to help power a greener future for us all.

In addition to a 1.14 million tonne carbon reduction over the lifetime of the project, Parc Dyffryn will provide enough clean, green energy to power over 20,000 homes per year. The transformative project will enhance and protect local biodiversity whilst providing a unique experience for local schools and community groups through the creation of an outdoor classroom and over 30 outdoor education points.

Recent work on-site has included the opening of a significant amount of permissive paths through the Coed Nant Bran Woods, ensuring access is still possible even with the flooding experienced in various parts of the Wood.

View our Interactive Site Map to see some of the key ways the project will benefit the local area.

Our thanks to those who joined us, and provided feedback, at our public site visits held in July 2021 and June 2023. You can visit the Welsh Government Planning Casework Portal to view the Full Planning Application for Parc Dyffryn, with a decision regarding our proposals expected later this year.

Point of Interest

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Increasing countryside access for all with the creation and maintenance of a 2 metre wide, permeable multi-use path between the A48 bus stop & Dyffryn House and Gardens

Opening up, enhancing and maintaining the existing footpaths on site

Managing over 55 acres of woodland to the highest conservation standards as laid out by National Resources Wales

Building an outdoor classroom and a number of interactive, educational points throughout Parc Dyffryn to educate visitors to the site

Protecting and retaining trees on site, removing trees suffering with Ash dieback and planting more trees

Creating permissive paths through the woodland on site, giving access to previously inaccesible areas for peaceful, woodland walks

Enchancing hedgerows to become thicker (2-4m), wider and taller (up to 3/4m), providing safe coridoors for wildlife to nest, feed, hibernate & travel as well as providing a natural visual buffer. Some hedges on site will be fenced 1m out, cut biannually, and any gaps to be replanted.

Click to view full size image

Click to view full size image

Enhancement of the natural valley found on site, through the planting of a wildflower meadow mix (Emorsgate EM3) and the addition of a permeable multi-use path

Existing arable land near Dyffryn House will be restored to meadows, supporting the National Trust's vision to have the landscape restored to what was originally surrounding the House.

A species rich grassland mix (Emorsgate EH1 or EM10) will be planted underneath the solar panels & land between the panels repeatedly slot seeded with a nectar rich plant species creating a protective habitat

To the West of the site, a field will be managed to protect areas of habitat for plant species currently found in a few locations in the arable margin. 5 metre wide, fine, firm ploughed/rotovated margins will be maintainted.

Increasing countryside access for all with the creation and maintenance of a 2 metre wide, permeable multi-use path between the A48 bus stop & Dyffryn House and Gardens

Opening up, enhancing and maintaining the existing footpaths on site

Managing over 55 acres of woodland to the highest conservation standards as laid out by National Resources Wales

Building an outdoor classroom and a number of interactive, educational points throughout Parc Dyffryn to educate visitors to the site

Protecting and retaining trees on site, removing trees suffering with Ash dieback and planting more trees

Creating permissive paths through the woodland on site, giving access to previously inaccesible areas for peaceful, woodland walks

Enchancing hedgerows to become thicker (2-4m), wider and taller (up to 3/4m), providing safe coridoors for wildlife to nest, feed, hibernate & travel as well as providing a natural visual buffer. Some hedges on site will be fenced 1m out, cut biannually, and any gaps to be replanted.

Click to view full size image

Click to view full size image

Enhancement of the natural valley found on site, through the planting of a wildflower meadow mix (Emorsgate EM3) and the addition of a permeable multi-use path

Existing arable land near Dyffryn House will be restored to meadows, supporting the National Trust's vision to have the landscape restored to what was originally surrounding the House.

A species rich grassland mix (Emorsgate EH1 or EM10) will be planted underneath the solar panels & land between the panels repeatedly slot seeded with a nectar rich plant species creating a protective habitat

To the West of the site, a field will be managed to protect areas of habitat for plant species currently found in a few locations in the arable margin. 5 metre wide, fine, firm ploughed/rotovated margins will be maintainted.

Our proposals for Parc Dyffryn involve the creation of parkland adjacent to Dyffryn House and Gardens, as well as the management of woodlands throughout the site. Coupled with the planting of wildflower meadows alongside on-site pathways our plans will deliver significant biodiversity net-gain both on and off-site.

Further details of our proposed management plan can be found below…

Hedgerow Conservation

  • 12,290m hedgerow conservation   

Habitat creation and management

  • 161.6 acres land inside the solar arrays restored to species rich grassland.
  • 45.2 acres of woodland enhanced and restored to a broadleaved woodland.
  • 55.4 acres of additional land outside of the solar restored to wildflower meadows.

IMPROVED FOOTPATHS

  • 2050m of new and improved permeable surfaced paths linking the A48 to Dyffryn House
  • 1400m of new Permissive paths in the woodland  

"We firmly believe that a sustainable future has to have two parts. It has to do something for the environment, and something for the economy. Our proposals for Parc Dyffryn will play an important role in helping the Vale of Glamorgan and Wales reach their net-zero targets, whilst managing and enhancing large areas of countryside for use by local residents"

Martyn Popham, Director & Project Lead

COMMUNITY

Central to all of our projects is a commitment to local communities, ensuring that they feel long-term, tangible benefits as a result of our projects.

Through our Parc Dyffryn scheme, we’ve been delighted to support the fantastic work of With Music in Mind, a not-for-profit group that aim to tackle loneliness and social isolation amongst older people across the Vale of Glamorgan.

If you’re a group or individual looking for support with a cause that brings benefit to your local area, get in touch to discuss how we might be able to help.

"Many individuals are doing what they can. But real success can only come if there is a change in our societies and in our economics and in our politics...what humans do over the next 50 years will determine the fate of all life on the planet.”

Sir David Attenborough on Climate Change

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