Find, save and share Public Notices that affect you in the area.
The Public Notice Portal carries statutory public notices published in local newspapers and is the fastest and most effective way of finding out what is happening in YOUR neighbourhood.
Battle lines have been drawn over a massive M4 solar farm – but what happens next?
After a noisy start one month ago, when protesters gathered in Chippenham to mark the beginning of a government examination into plans for a massive solar park in the Wiltshire countryside, most activity has moved behind closed doors.
The preliminary meeting of the Planning Inspectorate’s Lime Down examination opened on April 21, with dozens of local people gathered outside to protest against the proposed development.
Since then, the Planning Inspectorate’s examining authority has begun the formal six-month examination process for the proposed 500-megawatt solar farm north of the M4 near Malmesbury.
The preliminary meeting was followed by the first open floor hearing, where interested parties presented their views to inspectors.
Read more
Battle over huge solar farm begins as protesters meet planning inspectors
Hated plans for solar farm near M4 ‘will not benefit Wiltshire people’
Fight against massive solar park near M4 gets boost
On April 22, the first issue-specific hearing took place, focusing on the project’s scope.
Barrister Joel Semakula appeared for Wiltshire Council, the host authority, which has formally objected to the scheme.
Wiltshire Council was one of nearly 5,000 individuals or bodies that formally objected to the development, citing “significant unresolved concerns” including emissions from construction activities and potential job losses.
The deadline for public comments on written representations is May 22, following which the Examining Authority will publish its first written questions on 1 June, with responses due by 15 June.
A site inspection is scheduled for June 11, and further hearings are scheduled between June 30 and July 3.
A second set of written questions will be issued on July 27, followed by further opportunities to comment in August.
Additional hearings may then be held in September if required, with final submissions due in early October.
Following examination, the examining authority will have three months to write a recommendation report for Secretary of State for Energy Ed Miliband, who will make the final decision.
A final decision is expected in late 2026 or early 2027.
The independent examination, led by the Planning Inspectorate as the Examining Authority, began in April and is expected to continue through to the autumn.
Over this period, the Examining Authority will consider written submissions, hold hearings and ask further questions before making its recommendation.
Cllr Adrian Foster, Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for strategic planning, development management, and housing, said: “Wiltshire Council is not the decision‑maker on this application, but our officers remain fully engaged throughout the examination, ensuring that the views of our communities and the potential impacts on the county are clearly and robustly represented.”
If granted permission, Lime Down Solar Park would cover 3,000 acres of countryside, with the entire site covering an area four miles wide and two miles deep.
There would be thousands of solar panels, each measuring 4.5 metres – the height of a double-decker bus – with 42 acres dedicated to battery storage containers, inverters, and substations, all behind three-metre-high metal fencing with CCTV.
A 22km (14 mile) cable would connect the site to the National Grid at Melksham, passing under the M4 and the Bristol-to-London railway line.
Full access to all of our articles online and on the app, fewer adverts, a better reading experience, exclusive competitions and more – all for less than the price of a cup of coffee. ☕️
Subscribe now! – https://t.co/AQ9XF2gcO2 pic.twitter.com/bYvsD2lw5e
— Gazette & Herald (@wiltsgazette) April 13, 2026
The applicant, Island Green Power, says the scheme would provide enough electricity to power 115,000 homes.
Island Green Power is registered in Bermuda and owned by Australian venture capital group Macquarie Asset Management – a former owner of Thames Water.
The constituency MP Roz Savage has criticised the ownership of the applicant, calling the scheme “the wrong scale, in the wrong place, under the wrong kind of ownership.”
In November she said: “Macquarie’s ownership of Thames Water led to soaring debt, crumbling infrastructure, and increased pollution, hardly a reassuring track record.
“To now see the same company fully acquire Island Green Power, with no local accountability or long-term stewardship, is deeply troubling.”
This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation’s Editors’ Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here
© 2001-2026. The Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard is owned and operated by Newsquest Media Group Ltd, an audited local newspaper network.
Visit newsquest.co.uk to view our policies, terms and legal agreements.
The Echo Building, 18 Albert Road, Bournemouth, England BH1 1BZ. Registered in England & Wales | 01676637
Data returned from the Piano ‘meterActive/meterExpired’ callback event.
As a subscriber, you are shown 80% less display advertising when reading our articles.
Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services.
These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience – the local community.
It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times.
