As one of the most hotly debated projects in Wiltshire, Lime Down Solar Park has received its fair share of controversy since the plans were shared with affected residents in northern Wiltshire.
Whilst much concern surrounds the future of Lime Down, the project is very much still in its initial stages.
Things have been relatively quiet from the developer’s front over the last month, but the planning process has been ticking along in the background.
The solar park would stretch across two thousand acres of farmland to the north of the M4, southwest of Malmesbury.
READ MORE: Wiltshire Council approves major solar farms motion
According to developer Island Green Power, the park could deliver up to 500 megawatts of renewable energy, enough to power over 115,000 homes annually.
On Monday, July 15, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) scoping report was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate.
This is a normal stage of initial planning in large scale projects of this type and allows the Planning Inspectorate to comment on the developer’s proposed approach to the EIA.
For this to happen, the Planning Inspectorate carries out a consultation process with statutory consultees.
This usually lasts about a month and includes local authorities, such as Wiltshire Council, environment agencies, and other relevant bodies.
Eventually, a scoping opinion will be produced and provided to the developer, outlining the environmental responsibilities and expectations that must be addressed during the planning process.
This usually happens within six weeks of the Planning Inspectorate receiving the scoping report.
Therefore, residents can expect an update in the Lime Down process relatively soon.
However, campaign group Stop Lime Down has raised its concerns regarding the EIA. The group claims to represent the views of almost 800 registered supporters opposing the solar park.
A spokesperson said: “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.”
Stop Lime Down also suggested that the “excessive” use of 4.5m high panels and large numbers of inverter buildings, along with the construction of electricity substations and the installation of underground high voltage cables between sites, would be “even more harmful to the local ecosystem than the developer’s original consultation suggested.”
South Cotswolds new MP, Roz Savage said: “I continue to oppose the Lime Down development.
SEE ALSO: Lime Down Solar Park plans in Wiltshire spark angry protests
"It is the wrong size, the wrong location, and in the wrong ownership. I am still pressing for a meeting with Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary, to urge him to halt the project, and come up with a proper land use plan that prioritises solar on rooftops and brownfield sites, leaving farmland for food production.”
Will Threlfall, senior project development manager at Island Green Power, said: “The scoping report gives more detail on the project and sets out the environmental criteria we’ll use to evaluate the potential effects of any development.
“Our findings will guide actions to reduce and manage impacts on the local landscape and environment, and address residents' concerns.
“We’d like to thank everyone who took the time to respond to the initial consultation.
“Your feedback highlighted how important the area is and the need to protect treasured views and walks, wildlife, and local ecology.
“All the points raised are reflected in this Environmental Scoping Report and will be factored into our development of the project.
“In response to feedback, we’ve worked with the project landowners and are pleased to confirm that an additional 44 hectares of land has been made available for the project design.
“This land will be used to increase buffer zones, putting more distance between solar infrastructure and sensitive areas such as the Cotswold National Landscape, heritage assets including the Fosse Way, landscape features, public rights of way, and residential properties.”
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