Massive solar park could reduce reliance on imported fuel, developers say
The Lime Down Solar Park scheme could be a green energy boost for the UK, but locals have been having their say on how it could impact them
Last updated 22nd Apr 2026
The company behind plans for a massive solar park in Wiltshire says it could help reduce our reliance on imported fuels.
Examiners from the Planning Inspectorate have been reviewing the Lime Down Solar project proposals from Island Green Power and hearing from local people about its potential impact.
Almost 5,000 people registered to have their say on the scheme, with an overwhelming majority opposing the development, which would span more than 2,000 acres.
Will Threlfall, Senior Project Development Manager for Lime Down Solar Park, said he's "grateful" for people taking the time to engage with the scheme and will continue to respond to points raised during the planning examination process.
He added: “We remain confident that Lime Down is a well-designed scheme that could provide significant amounts of clean UK-generated electricity, reducing reliance on imported fuel that, as we have seen again in recent weeks, leaves British households and businesses vulnerable to sudden and costly price rises.”
The final decision on whether the scheme can go ahead rests with the Secretary of State.
Wiltshire "not the place to industrialise"
The first hearings about the project have been held this week in Chippenham, providing locals a chance to have their say directly to examiners.
Matthew Rose, from Hullavington, told us the scale of the project concerns him greatly, saying it's going to ruin the green landscape he calls home.
"I strongly believe that Wiltshire is not the place to industrialise with 2,000 acres of solar complex," he said. "It's also going to involve A 20 kilometre dedicated road to connect the solar complex to the substation at Melksham and it's going to change the beautiful green oasis that I currently live in to a glass complex with solar panels, electricity substations and battery storage sites."
He added that the volume of people wanting to have their say, which is around three times greater than those who commented on plans for an extra runway at Gatwick airport, is a testament to the strength of feeling in the community.
Impact beyond county borders
Rosie Clark is also opposed to the plans and spoke about how the plans will impact water supply.
She explained that the infrastructure of the project and the 4 metre high panels will sit above the aquifiers the feed into Chippenham, Bristol and Bath.
She said: "There has never been any study anywhere in the world into the long-term impact on human health of ingesting water that has got the chemicals that leach from the whole infrastructure.
"I'm concerned about the future health implications and the planning inspectorate here as a regulatory body to ensure that if there is any risk to human health, this should not go ahead."
She added the scale of the project could have an impact on local tourism.
"We've got the Foss Way which will be enclosed in a corridor of four metre high solar panels. We have American tourists and all sorts. They're not going to walk through a corridor of four metre high glass and steel."
Future of agriculture at risk
Rosie also highlighted that the scheme could put even greater strain on our food security, at a time when it's already being challenged.
Her concerns were echoed by Rodbourne farmer, Andy Greenhill, who said the solar panels will affect farming businesses in his village.
"It's not easy to make a living from the land at the moment," he said. "This land is some of the best in the area. When you take that away, it gives the next generation no opportunity to then make a living from the land as well. With food security and environmental impact, it's going to be devastating."
He told us he hopes that the agriculture land would be removed entirely from the schemes plans, calling it inappropriate for the area.
"A sea of glass"
Malmesbury St Paul Without parish councillor Sara Sorby revealed her worries about the project too - saying she feels it will ruin the countryside she lives in.
She explained that she walks her dog and rides her horse through the permissive routes in the section that will be called "Lime Down E", should the Planning Inspectorate approve the plans.
It's a route that stretches from Rodbourne, where she lives, to Stanton.
"For them to put their panels up. How old are we going to be able to ride down there? And then when they're finished, they put up this high fencing. The panels themselves are 4.5 metres high. They move with the sun. What horse is going to go down that narrow corridor?" she said.
She said the ancient droveways will become a "sea of glass", while bridal paths will pass substations.
"It's just horrendous that the countryside which we cherish. will be ruined forever!"
Further hearings are expected in the coming months, with a final decision due in just over 12 months.