Thousands of people have protested against plans to build a huge solar farm in Wiltshire, with concerns mounting that the project could destroy swathes of “beautiful” English countryside.
Plans to build Lime Down Solar Park – submitted by Island Green Power – will see a 500-megawatt facility constructed between Malmesbury and the M4.
The energy firm claim the project will produce enough electricity to power 115,000 homes every year.
Proposals were initially rejected by Wiltshire Council, but developers have since appealed against the decision.
A planning inspector held a public meeting in Chippenham on Tuesday, six months before a final decision is made in October.
The gathering was told that almost 5,000 Wiltshire residents have voiced their feelings in letters to the planning inspectorate, with most detailing their staunch opposition to the plans.
Outside the meeting, over 100 demonstrators gathered, with participants saying they fear the enormous solar farm will wreak havoc for the rural area.
Despite the backlash, Will Threlfall, Lime Down Solar Park’s senior project development manager, insisted the development was a “well-designed scheme”, adding that he was “grateful” for members of the public voicing their opinions.
More than 100 demonstrators gathered outside the public meeting
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STOP LIME DOWN CAMPAIGN GROUP
The project would be four miles wide and two miles long, and see the installation of almost 15ft tall solar panels.
Critics have warned Lime Down Solar Park will engulf the villages of Sherton, Luckington, Hullavington, Upper Seagry and Stanton St Quintin.
At the meeting, Stop Lime Down campaign activist Sir Mike Pitt told the BBC that while demonstrators “understand Government policy”, the group believes it is “wrong site in the wrong location”.
Sir Mike added that the country roads in the surrounding areas could be pushed to the brink by large vehicles involved in the construction of the farm.
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Tracey Worcester said the site must be protected for outdoor enthusiasts, adding that the area is ‘so beautiful’
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STOP LIME DOWN CAMPAIGN GROUP
Meanwhile, local resident Tracey Worcester told the broadcaster that the site must be protected for outdoor enthusiasts, adding that the area is “so beautiful”.
She said: “We need the countryside…we can’t keep on destroying it.”
Despite the staunch opposition to the plans, not all residents are in agreement.
Lesley Bennett, the former Mayor of Malmesbury, said the project only covers “a relatively small part of the landscape”, adding that it could be beneficial to tackling “climate change”.
Proposals were initially rejected by Wiltshire Council, but developers have since appealed against the decision
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GOOGLEShe noted: “They aren’t cutting off any footpaths, in fact they are going to create more footpaths.”
The Wiltshire Climate Alliance has said that while they “hope the planning inspector takes on some of the views”, the country is in need of renewable energy.
Activist Matthew Short added: “Maybe, there is a middle ground on how the scheme can be shaped – so it’s not quite so impactful to local residents, but also benefits renewable energy.”
Mr Threlfall insisted that developers would continue to listen to the concerns of local residents.
He said: “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.”