Consultation launched on planned Wiltshire solar park

The plans are for a new renewable solar energy and storage development near Malmesbury.

The consultation will run for seven weeks before closing on 19 March, and during this time the developer is inviting feedback from local communities near the site.

The refined plans cover a total development area of 878 hectares. Of this, 53 per cent will be utilised for solar panels and associated infrastructure, to support the generation of renewable energy.

The remaining 47 per cent of the land available for the development has been allocated for environmental purposes, including mitigation measures, biodiversity net gain initiatives, ecological enhancements and offsets, all contributing to deliver significant environmental benefits to the local area.

This second stage of consultation follows an initial consultation held early last year. During the first stage, Island Green Power presented its preliminary study area for the proposed solar development, alongside broad corridors in which an underground cable could be routed to connect the solar park to the national grid at Melksham substation.

The plans now being consulted on have been informed by the findings from extensive environmental studies as well as feedback received during the first consultation.

Will Threlfall, Senior Project Development Manager at Island Green Power, said: “Following our initial round of consultation and as part of our ongoing commitment to sensitive design and responding to people's feedback, we have refined our proposals in several ways.

“Nearly half of the area originally proposed for the solar park will now be used for solar development, with the remainder allocated to environmental improvements that benefit local biodiversity and ecology. This ensures the design is sensitive to the landscape and key features that people have highlighted as important, such as the Fosse Way.

“We have also carefully considered ways to minimise the impact of the battery storage component by co-locating it within the solar development areas and increasing the distance between this equipment and nearby residences and communities.

“We’re really grateful to everyone who has shared their views and contributed to helping shape the Project so far. Projects like Lime Down Solar are vital to enabling the transition from fossil fuel to low carbon energy, and we’re committed to delivering a scheme that makes a meaningful contribution to both local and national energy needs. I’d encourage people to find out more about how our proposals have evolved and come along to the events we’re holding to speak with myself and the wider team.”

Full details of the updated proposals being consulted on, including maps and plans, as well as details of the consultation events taking place can be found on the Project website at www.limedownsolar.co.uk