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What are we proposing?
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We are proposing a new solar farm capable of generating up to 35 MW of green electricity. This includes:
- Ground mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) panels
- An onsite substation
- Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
- Other associated infrastructure
We have considered the site carefully in order to inform our early, draft design. We initially looked at the whole of the site boundary, all of which is owned by the Welsh Government, and assessed how suitable it would be for use as a solar farm. We assessed the topography, visual amenity from properties and the Wales Coastal Path, the need to avoid heritage and archaeological assets, land designations and existing woodland, trees and hedgerows.
In designing the site layout, we have considered existing properties and features, as well as the new Ysgol Llyn Derw, the Upper Cosmeston Farm housing estate, and the new Sully to Cosmeston Active Travel Route.
Taking all of these factors into account has led to a compact design, located in the central and western areas of the site boundary.
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Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Assessing potential environmental effects is a key part of the planning process.
We have submitted a request for an EIA Scoping Opinion to the Vale of Glamorgan Council, the Local Planning Authority. This can be viewed on the Vale of Glamorgan Council Planning Portal. The Application Number is 2026/00533/SC2.
The purpose of requesting an EIA Scoping Opinion is to establish the scope of the Environmental Statement (ES) that will be prepared in support of the planning application. As well as identifying which environmental topics need to be considered as part of the EIA, the EIA Scoping Direction will also identify those environmental topics that are not considered necessary to assess further.
A draft ES will be made available as part of the next round of public consultation, currently scheduled to start in November 2026.
Land use
The land is currently farmed for crops. It is classed as Grade 3b and 4 under the Agricultural Land Classification (ALC), meaning it is moderate to poor quality for producing crops.
We are exploring the opportunity to create grassland habitat and animal grazing in the fields where the PV panels are located. This would have benefits for the land, as well as diversifying the farming practices across the site.
Improving nature
In addition to contributing to Wales’s 2050 net-zero goal, Larnog Solar Farm has the potential to make a positive impact on the local environment. We will work with the Vale of Glamorgan Council, The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales, Natural Resources Wales and other interested parties to achieve environmental benefits.
We aim to look after nature on the site by:
- Actively improving biodiversity across the site, through improving existing habitats and creating new habitats. By planting more hedgerows and trees we aim to support a variety of wildlife, such as dormice, commuting bats, birds, bees, insects, reptiles and mammals.
- Further encouraging the local bee population by developing bee banks.
- Avoiding all areas of woodland in our design, including those with Tree Preservation Orders.
- Avoiding all Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs) in our design.
- Working with Vale of Glamorgan Council to develop ecological measures to compliment the SINCs which can be found on site, for example through creating habitat piles, managing invasive species and creating beetle banks.
If you have ideas how we can improve nature onsite, we would love to hear from you. We’re especially keen to hear from local environmental and community groups.
Improving access
We know the area is popular with walkers who enjoy the Wales Coastal Path and other Public Rights of Way (PRoW) near the site. We are exploring opportunities to improve the PRoW networks across the site. We are considering how best to maintain openness and connectivity along footpaths as we develop our plans.
If you are a user of the local footpaths, we welcome your ideas for improving access around the site.
Grid connection
We have an indicative grid connection offer to connect Larnog Solar Farm to the grid. The point of connection and connection date will be confirmed in due course by the local district network operator.
Should the project receive planning consent, we will schedule the timing of construction and operation to coordinate with the connection date, provided by the local district network operator.
The grid connection won’t form part of our planning application for Larnog Solar Farm as the work will be carried out by the utility provider under permitted development rights.
Social & economic
As Trydan is owned by the Welsh Government, revenue generated by the project will contribute to the Welsh Government’s public finances, supporting the interests and needs of the people of Wales. Close to the projects we promote, Trydan is committed to working with local communities, groups and representatives, to shape the projects and the range of potential benefits they can deliver, from environmental and biodiversity benefits to funding for local priorities.
We’ll start our exploration of opportunities with local residents and representatives during our consultation events.
The planning process
We will apply to the Vale of Glamorgan Council for planning permission for Larnog Solar Farm under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. The decision whether to grant planning permission is made by the Vale of Glamorgan Council Planning Committee.
We are currently undertaking a non-statutory consultation on our draft plans. We don’t have all the answers yet, but we are keen to inform local people about our plans at an early stage of the planning process, and have initial discussions about the project.
In summer 2026, we will undertake the statutory pre-application consultation where we will present our full draft planning application for consultees and members of the public to feed back on.
Trydan is required to adhere to all of the same strict planning rules which private developers must meet, and we are held to the same standards.
Trydan’s work is overseen by the Welsh Government's Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy.