Plans for a hugely controversial 200-acre solar farm near Chippenham are to be decided this week.

The proposal for fields south east of Chippenham at Forest Gate would produce enough electricity for almost 14,000 homes according to developer Eden Renewables.

The developers add it could save 20,000 tonnes of C02 a year.

Almost 600 comments have been made on the application, with hundreds both for and against the scheme, however many objections come from the same names.  

The plans were submitted in 2021 but there has been debate around the idea since 2020 and a decision from the council is due on Thursday, March 2.

One person commented on the application: “I vehemently object to this planning proposal.

"I am a passionate supporter of any genuinely green environmental projects or proposals.

"However, this proposed development does nothing to improve or assist in lessening environmental impact or offsetting carbon emissions.

"In fact, it creates in its conception, manufacture, importation, implementation and all important end of life disposal greater harm than good.

"I am therefore completely against planning consent being granted."

Another commented: “I strongly OBJECT to the solar power station on the Bowood/Forest gate land because I can't imagine anyone ever saying "Oh what a beautiful view across the countryside with all those solar panels now on that farmland"! No because people say "oh what a beautiful view across those lovely fields".

"They are ugly compared to beautiful natural farmland and are destructive to wildlife."

However, Wiltshire planning officers have recommended the proposal for approval.

Wiltshire councillor and head of climate group Zero Chippenham Dr Nick Murry said: “Zero Chippenham welcomes these revised plans and the amendments to the site layout, which will we understand will reduce the visual impact of the project by scaling back the site area by over 20 per cent, as well as reducing the height of the panels, without significantly reducing generation capacity.

“We are also pleased to see that Calne Without Parish Council has confirmed its support for the application.

“As previously stated, we believe scheme will make a significant contribution to the UK’s and Wiltshire’s decarbonisation targets by producing a substantial amount of low carbon electricity in a short space of time.”

Chippenham Town Councillor Declan Baseley commented: “I fully support the creation of the Forest Gate solar farm, we desperately need to move away from fossil fuels and start investing in cheap, clean, renewable energy, otherwise, we run the risk of irreversible climatological breakdown.”

Eden Renewables refuted claims the development was on the green belt and said in a statement: "The land is hard to farm productively and we will be maximising its use with sheep grazing and strong ecological improvements alongside clean energy generation.

"We’re also really excited about working with Zero North Wiltshire and Bath and West Community Energy to enable the local community to share ownership of the solar farm which would create a fund of well over £1million over the project life, on top of the £20,000 a year that Eden will be contributing to community & educational initiatives.”

To comment on the application, click here.