Wiltshire Protect is considering mounting a legal challenge against plans for a 198-acre solar farm outside Melksham.
The campaign group confirmed that they were exploring their options after planning permission was granted for the site – the size of roughly 99 football pitches – in June.
Spokesperson Jack Churchill said, “Wiltshire Protect are looking at the legal options in relation to the 200-acre industrial development on the rural hillside at Sandridge that has been given the go ahead by the Planning Inspector. This enormous development is against the wishes of local people, Seend Parish Council and the county’s highest planning committee, the Wiltshire Strategic Planning Committee.
“As has been said all along if this solar development was half the size and on the less prominent part of the Sandridge Hill there would be much more support for it. The legal options are being explored at this time. No decision has yet been taken.”
Last month a planning inspector overturned Wiltshire Council’s 2014 decision to refuse permission for the farm. If the solar farm is built to current specifications it could be one of the ten largest solar farms in the United Kingdom; only seven currently operating sites are bigger.
An email sent by a Wiltshire Council officer reported that the applicant for the site “did not appear too perturbed” by Wiltshire Protect’s threat of action.
To find out more about the plans search planning application 13/06140/FUL on www.wiltshire.gov.uk
For information about Wiltshire Protect visit www.wiltshireprotect.co.uk.
