Update on 200-acre A4 solar farm plans in Wiltshire

Last March plans were approved for the Forest Gate Solar Farm on land off the A4 at Pewsham, on the edge of Chippenham.

Developer Eden Renewables has since applied for planning permission to lay an underground cable linking the planned solar scheme to Chippenham substation on Cocklebury Lane, connecting it to the grid.

If approved the connection route will run for an estimated length of 4.28KM following existing infrastructure, including a cycle track, roads, footpaths, and road verges.

Eden Renewables says the rest of the route, where a trench half a metre deep and 1.5 metres wide would be dug, is made up of grassland in poor condition.

In a covering letter, the applicants told the council the plans would have “negligible” adverse impacts, and would allow the connection of a development with a 49.9MW export capacity.

READ MORE: Massive solar farm close to A4 gets green light despite fierce opposition

The plans for Forest Gate (Image: Eden Renewables)

They said: “Given the proposal’s negligible impacts on heritage, arboriculture, and ecology, and the lack of impact on landscape, the proposed development is in accordance with all relevant planning policy set out in adopted and emerging development plan documents; it should therefore be approved without delay.”

Prior to its approval, the solar farm proved controversial amongst residents.

Speaking against the proposal at a council meeting last year, one person said: “A solar farm is an inappropriate development in this location and can only be described as industrial.

“This application will significantly adversely impact the character and appearance of the landscape.

“The expansive tranquil landscape with far reaching views will turn into an industrial utility power grade complex.”

But Eden Renewables founder Harry Lopes insisted it was necessary to use renewable energy to make progress in the fight against climate change.

The proposed solar farm site (Image: Newsquest)

At the time, he said: “The site is almost completely grade 3b not best or versatile land and the government policy is very clear that this is acceptable for solar development.

“Much of the site is wet, hard to farm productively mostly used for hay cutting and where it has been used for arable in the past requires high levels of expensive chemical inputs.

“Time is running out and we really need projects like Forest Gate to make some progress.”

Eden Renewables says construction of the approved solar development will take place in spring or summer next year.