VIEWS are being sought on plans to build a £2.7 million solar farm on a former landfill site in Cwmbran.

The proposed facility at the old Ty Coch tip in Llantarnam would be capable of generating 3.85 megawatts (MW) per year over 35 years.

This is equivalent to power 1,126 homes in Torfaen county borough, nearly a quarter of the council’s total electricity consumption.

An outline business case was approved by Torfaen council’s cabinet last July, but members of the public will now be consulted before a full planning application is submitted.

READ MORE: Torfaen council approves outline proposals for Cwmbran solar farm

Councillor Fiona Cross, executive member for environment, said the farm was the latest in a line of renewable energy projects being explored by the council.

It is hoped that the scheme, if given planning permission, would help Welsh Governments targets for Wales to generate 70 per cent of its electricity from renewable energy by 2030.

Torfaen currently generates 220 kilowatt hours (kwh) of electricity and 254kwh of heat energy.

But concerns have already been raised about the proposed development, namely around the farm being smaller than originally planned.

A 5MW scheme was presented to councillors in October 2017 but the scheme was reduced to compliment plans to create a Canal Trust visitor destination nearby.

This project would have cost an extra £1 million but would have returned a cash income of £5 million after 35 years.

Torfaen council is expecting returns of £1.8 million – equivalent to £52,000 per year – from the preferred scheme after the same period.

Anyone wishing to make representations about the proposed development has until February 1 to do so.

Reports and drawings relating to the scheme can be found at Asbri Planning’s website, where a response form can be downloaded and sent to the firm’s address.

Responses can also be emailed to mail@asbriplanning.co.uk.

Computer facilities at Cwmbran Library are available between 9am and 5.30pm on Mondays and Tuesdays, 8.45am to 7pm on Thursdays, 8.45 to 6pm on Fridays and 8.45am to 4pm on Saturday.