Public Consultation Reveals Significant Opposition to Solar Park Proposals

The initial consultation phase for a contentious 2,000-acre solar farm garnered responses from over 750 individuals, with 88% indicating their opposition to the current plans. The proposed Lime Down Solar Park, intended for several villages within the Malmesbury area of north Wiltshire, has encountered resistance, leading to the establishment of a campaign group against the project. Island Green Power (IGP), the developer behind the plans, has expressed gratitude for the feedback received and announced that a second consultation would commence next year. The company has stated that the site is projected to generate sufficient power for 115,000 homes and affirmed that responses from local residents would be utilized to “refine” the proposals. IGP reported that the primary concerns raised in the responses pertained to visual impact, soil and farming, biodiversity, drainage and flooding, heritage, transport, and battery safety. The company’s report on the consultation indicated that 53% of respondents opposed ground-mounted solar installations at the location, while 88% were against the plans in their present form. Apprehensions exist regarding the project’s considerable size and its potential effects on the landscape, as well as the amount of agricultural land it would occupy. “Stop Lime Down” signage is widely visible along roadways throughout north Wiltshire. Phil Moore from the campaign group stated: “It’s not because they’re anti-solar – it will disfigure this countryside for miles and miles around. “I don’t think anyone has the faintest idea about how large it is going to be – it is absolutely enormous.” The solar park is expected to generate 500MW, providing enough power for 115,000 homes. Local resident Lesley Bennett, who is also a former mayor of Malmesbury, expressed her support for this aspect, commenting: “That I think is brilliant.” She further added: “The main thing to think about is we have to do something about climate change. “It’s for the sake of our children, our grandchildren.” Will Threlfall, Senior Project Development Manager for Lime Down Solar Park, remarked: “We now have a better understanding of what is important from a landscape, nature, and community perspective that will be addressed as we refine our plans.” The company reiterated that the feedback would be used to “refine” the proposals and emphasized that consultation was “critical” to the process. Due to the substantial scale of the solar park plans, planning permission must be obtained from the government rather than the local council, although the latter will be consulted. The second consultation, scheduled to begin in early 2025, aims to collect feedback on revised plans, which will incorporate details regarding the underground cable route to the battery site located near Melksham. Should the company secure approval, construction could potentially commence as early as 2027.