LUC secured planning consent for a 9.8 MW solar farm at Rhigos Road, Hirwaun, South Wales on behalf of Regener8 Power.

This project contributes to Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council's net-zero carbon footprint by 2050 goal and improves energy security through home-grown renewable energy.

The solar farm will offset 2,600 tonnes of carbon annually, generating enough power for 3,900 homes.

This reduces reliance on fossil fuels and increases renewable energy delivered to the grid.

LUC advised on the overall planning strategy, ensuring the project met all necessary planning requirements and working closely with Regener8 from the pre-application stage through to a successful decision.

We coordinated a team of LUC colleagues and sub-consultants to ensure the required planning documents were provided to the appropriate standard.

We produced a comprehensive Planning, Design and Access Statement that clearly articulated the project's benefits and compliance with planning policies and guidance.

Through close liaison with statutory bodies and stakeholders, we fostered a collaborative approach to secure support for the project.

LUC’s landscape planners carried out a Landscape and Visual Appraisal to assess and minimise the landscape and visual impact of the solar farm.

The team identified appropriate mitigation measures to overcome concerns of Natural Resources Wales.

Our ecologists carried out detailed surveys to assess the potential impact on local wildlife and habitats, and developed mitigation measures to protect and deliver a net benefit for biodiversity.

Together, our teams devised a Landscape and Environmental Management Plan to secure landscape and ecological benefits as part of the proposals.

LUC conducted a thorough Historic Environment Assessment to ensure the project understood and respected the area's cultural heritage.

LUC also evaluated the project's effects on traffic and transportation infrastructure, produced a Transport Statement, and developed a Construction Management Plan.

This project exemplifies LUC's commitment to multi-disciplinary collaboration, combining expertise from in-house teams and sub-consultants RSK and Cadence PR to achieve a positive outcome and successfully secure planning consent for this vital renewable energy project.

The Rhigos Road solar farm is a testament to our dedication to supporting net-zero goals and decarbonising energy systems and supporting net-zero goals.

LUC also provided follow-up planning, ecology and landscape support to discharge the planning conditions and facilitate delivery of the project by Berkshire-based renewable developer Enviromena.

Construction is expected to be complete in early 2026.