Proposed Solar Farm Advances Towards Approval

A proposed solar farm, capable of generating 10 megawatts of power—sufficient to supply 5,500 homes annually—is under consideration for construction on agricultural land. This designated site, situated east of Battens Farm, encompasses two farming fields located between Yatton Keynell and Allington, in the vicinity of Chippenham, Wiltshire. Developer Noventum Power has officially submitted a planning application to Wiltshire Council, a step taken after a period of consultation. A spokesperson for Noventum Power stated that “The majority of comments” supported the principle of development and the need for renewable energy developments”. The developer further indicated that input received from community engagement proved “very beneficial,” as reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service. The submitted application details the project’s lifespan and post-operation plans, stating: “The solar farm would be operational for up to 40 years.”It further specifies: “After the 40-year operation period, the solar farm would be decommissioned.”The document anticipates that “It is expected the decommissioning period will take up to six months.”Concluding, it notes: “After the infrastructure is removed the site will be reinstated back to the original state before construction.” Energy generated by the farm would be exported to the National Grid through an existing overhead line, which extends from east to west and connects to the Yatton Keynell substation, situated approximately 462m to the west of the fields. A decision from the council is anticipated by early next year. Climate change refers to the sustained alteration in the Earth’s average temperatures and weather patterns. The World Meteorological Organization reports that, on average, the period between 2014 and 2023 saw global temperatures approximately 1.2C higher than those recorded in the late 19th Century. Furthermore, current projections from the European climate service indicate that 2024 is “virtually certain” to become the warmest year on record globally. For updates, follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story ideas can be submitted via email or WhatsApp at 0800 313 4630. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for content found on external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available for review.