Campaigners fear flood risk not adequately considered in solar park plans
There are concerns the Lime Down Solar Park will increase flood risk in North Wiltshire
Last updated 3rd Dec 2025
Campaigners against a proposed solar farm in North Wiltshire are warning that there could be major flooding consequences if the project goes ahead.
The Lime Down Solar Park is a planned 2,200 acre site which developers say could bring renewable energy to over 100,000 homes.
Professor Richard Skeffington, who lives in Sherston, an area that could be affect by the project, and is a former Professor of Environmental Science, says the plans have him worried.
"This isn't just a few solar panels in one or two fields. It's a massive engineering project which will transform this part of the southern Cotswolds," he said. Professor Skeffington added that developers Island Green Power are intending to use "oversized" solar panels, which are around 4.5m tall - the same size as a double decker bus.
He's warning that these panels, which could be built on a concrete surface to protect them from flood damage, will introduce a large amount of impermeable surface to the area, leading to greater amounts of rain water run off.
Professor Skeffington describes flooding as a "common occurrence" each year already.
"We already have a lot of problems with those. I mean, last week we were going through reasonably deep floodwaters," he told us.
He says that the impact will be widespread, saying it would affect the Bristol Avon river area flowing through Chippenham, Melksham, Bradford on Avon and Bath.
"We know it's an area prone to flooding," he said. "The Environment Agency tells us there's a limited amount they can do to alleviate flood risk. The last thing they want is more water and water running off more quickly.
He added: "I think the solar power applicants have not appreciated the delicacy of this area from a flood point of view.
They think, well, it's a limestone area, so it's all very permeable and there won't be a problem.
"But locals know that that is not the case."
The project will see not only hundreds of thousands of solar panels erected, but substations inverter cabins and other facilities created, which will further add to the flood concerns.
Professor Skeffington told us: "What the developers would say, I think, is, 'don't worry about it because we'll put in lots of engineering to to collect the excess water and hold it back'.
"I just from the professional point of view, I'd really have my doubts as to whether they can put enough in to make a difference."
Asked if he believed there was a solution to the flooding issue, he said: "I think it would be very difficult because this is so vast and it's such a delicate area. I think the best solution would be to not build it at all."
The project is currently in the pre-examination phase, meaning people can register to have their say on the scheme.
The deadline for registration is 9th January 2026, with South Cotswolds MP, Roz Savage, among those who has already made her relevant representation to the Planning Inspectorate.
She's urging other people with concerns about the project to do the same to make sure they also have their say.
More information about Stop Lime Down Solar's concerns can be found on their website.
Developers Island Green Power say they've carried out "extensive" research to ensure plans do not increase flood risk.
Will Threlfall, Senior Project Development Manager for Lime Down Solar Park said:
"Lime Down Solar Park has undertaken extensive studies of local flood risk and prepared drainage strategies across the site which ensure that our proposals will not increase flood risk. All of this is part of our publicly-available application documentation, which will be examined by the Planning Inspectorate next year."