Residents of a Wiltshire village have expressed profound disappointment following the green light for the construction of a 200-acre solar farm. Initially rejected by Wiltshire Council last summer, the proposal for Potterne Solar Farm faced strong opposition, with concerns about the county becoming a “dumping ground” for solar developments.
Despite the council’s stance, Potterne Solar Farm Limited appealed to the Planning Inspectorate. This week, inspector Cullum Parker ruled in favor of the project, allowing it to proceed.
A spokesperson for the Potterne Solar Action Group conveyed the community’s sentiments: “This is a sad day for Potterne and the neighboring villages. The approval of a large industrial facility in open countryside feels premature, especially since connections to the grid aren’t expected until 2037.”
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The group highlighted pressing issues, including potential disruptions from construction access routes that may lead to traffic chaos and significant unresolved ecological concerns, particularly regarding protected bat species. “The ecological and access challenges we’ve raised remain serious and must be thoroughly addressed before any construction begins,” the spokesperson emphasized.
Moreover, the group intends to rigorously challenge each stage of the project’s progress, underscoring fears that approvals are being granted without feasible delivery plans — leaving local communities to shoulder the immediate impacts while benefits remain distant and uncertain.
The proposed site, Potterne Park Farm, is situated near the villages of Potterne, Urchfont, and Easterton. The council’s initial refusal centered on worries about the project’s visual impact on the local landscape. However, the planning inspector ruled that the benefits of renewable energy outweighed these concerns.
While acknowledging some localized harm to the character and appearance of the area, the inspector praised Wiltshire’s success in leading the UK with over 820MW of solar capacity — surpassing its 2030 target by 39 percent. He affirmed that this achievement supports the UK’s net zero goals and contributes to the public good through renewable energy.