Update on Lime Down Solar Park plans in Wiltshire
Gazette and Herald 25 August 2024
“We were disappointed by how many critical environmental considerations the developer was proposing to exclude from the EIA to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate.
“These include the potential for flooding and groundwater contamination in areas immediately outside the Lime Down site, and the significant cumulative effect of six Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) dressed up as a single scheme.
“We are also concerned that the developer’s report calls for the scoping out of the impact on landscape views of more than 5km from the site, and the effect on trees within the project area.”
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The solar park would stretch across two thousand acres of farmland. (Image Getty)
Massive boost for Stop Lime Down campaign as Wiltshire Council makes its position clear
Campaigners demanding a rethink on solar farms were delighted that Wiltshire Council overwhelmingly supported a motion calling for the more even distribution of large-scale solar farms across Britain.
The motion, brought yesterday by Conservative Councillors Phil Alford and Nick Botterill, argued that the concentration of solar farms in Wiltshire represented a “significant cumulative impact” that risked industrialising the county’s countryside.
Councillors attending the full council meeting in County Hall, Trowbridge, heard statements from members of the public. These included Sir Michael Pitt, who spoke on behalf of the group opposing the proposed 2000 acre, 500MW Lime Down Solar plant in North Wiltshire.
“We believe the Lime Down Solar Farm development is the most damaging assault on the county’s landscape in more than a lifetime,” said Sir Michael, who served as Chief Executive of the Planning Inspectorate between 2011 and 2014. “To call it a farm is an aberration. It is a vast industrial complex with battery storage, transformers and ugly solar cells some 4.5 metres high.”
“Stop Lime Down supports solar energy,” Sir Michael added. “But solar energy development should minimise environmental impact and be located in the right places, including rooftops and brownfield sites. Where additional solar farms are needed they should be limited in size and very carefully located.”
Councillors overwhelmingly supported this motion. 75 voted in favour of the motion, with six abstaining and only two opposing.
Supporters of the movement opposing Lime Down Solar Park and Battery Storage proposal gathered outside County Hall and attended the full meeting inside the council chamber. “We warmly welcome the councillors’ rejection of large-scale solar projects,” said a spokesperson. “But while we are pleased to have won a significant battle today, we fully recognise that there is a long way to go in this war.”
Stop Lime Down