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We are pleased to announce that, in May, permission was granted by Welsh Government Ministers for us to develop our proposed 65MW solar and battery energy storage (BESS) project Parc Dyffryn.
Located in the Vale of Glamorgan, Parc Dyffryn is a unique renewable energy project that will see solar power and nature intertwine to help power a cleaner, greener future.
In addition to a significant 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 giving much greater access to the countryside by building a number of new paths that will allow access through the site into a beautiful woodland area and on down to Dyffryn House.
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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.
"We look forward to continuing to work closely with the local community as we begin to develop the site over the coming years”
Martyn Popham, Director & Project Lead
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
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.