Dorset Council unveils plans for one of south west’s largest solar farms
Dorset Council intends on turning low-quality farmland near Chickerell into a solar farm that’d generate enough electricity to power ‘thousands of homes’
Last updated 5th Nov 2025
Dorset Council has announced plans for a major solar energy project near Chickerell that could become one of the largest renewable developments on council-owned land in the south west.
If approved, the scheme at Higher South Buckland Farm would deliver up to 50MW of clean electricity which would be enough to power thousands of homes.
It’s part of the local authority’s drive to cut carbon emissions and strengthen the county’s energy resilience.
The site, part of the council’s long-established Farms Estate, has already been earmarked as suitable for solar generation under the Dorset Council Local Plan.
Designs for the proposed solar farm are being drawn up to ensure that the surrounding landscape is respected, existing Public Rights of Way are maintained and a measurable biodiversity net gain is achieved.
The project forms a central part of Dorset Council’s new Farms Estate Strategy, which recognises that some agricultural land need to be diversified to remain viable and deliver greater public benefit.
Repurposing land for renewable energy, the council said, would ensure that it remains productive while helping meet climate targets.
Council Leader Nick Ireland said: “This is about making smart use of our land to support Dorset’s future. By generating clean energy locally, we can improve resilience, reduce carbon emissions, and create economic opportunities for our communities.”
The Higher South Buckland scheme also supports the ambitions of the Dorset Clean Energy Super Cluster – a regional initiative aiming to position Dorset and the wider south west as a hub for renewable innovation, with the potential to attract £28bn in investment and create thousands of skilled green jobs.
Dorset Council is working in partnership with Source Galileo, a renewable energy developer with experience in solar, wind and battery storage technologies.
Gina Cassidy, the company’s chief operating officer, said: “The opportunity to support Dorset Council in achieving its regional targets for reducing emissions whilst managing its assets responsibly and driving economic growth is an initiative we welcome.”
A planning application is expected to be submitted in the coming months.