Residents of a Wiltshire village have voiced strong disappointment following the approval of a 200-acre solar farm slated for construction on the outskirts of Potterne. Last summer, Wiltshire Council had rejected the Potterne Solar Farm project amid concerns over its impact on the countryside, with one councillor lamenting that the county was becoming a “dumping ground” for solar farms.
However, the developers appealed the decision to the Planning Inspectorate, which recently granted permission for the project to proceed. Planning inspector Cullum Parker acknowledged that while the development would alter the local landscape somewhat, its environmental benefits outweighed the harm. “Wiltshire leads UK counties with over 820MW of solar capacity operational or committed, exceeding its 2030 target by 39 percent,” Parker stated, emphasizing the project’s contribution to national net zero goals.
Despite this, the Potterne Solar Action Group (PSAG) condemned the ruling, calling it a “sad day” for Potterne and neighboring villages. The group raised concerns about the timing and feasibility of the project, noting the unlikely grid connection until 2037. They warned that local communities would bear the immediate disruptions associated with construction and ongoing access issues on local roads.
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PSAG also highlighted significant ecological gaps, particularly regarding the protection of rare bat species, that remain unresolved. “The issues we raised—especially around ecology and logistics—will need detailed attention before any construction begins,” a PSAG spokesperson said. The group intends to challenge these issues rigorously at every stage.
Further, PSAG cautioned about a broader trend of approving speculative projects without clear delivery plans, which tie up valuable land and impose consequences on affected communities. The proposed solar site lies between Potterne, Urchfont, and Easterton, with Wiltshire Council’s initial rejection heavily influenced by concerns over visual impact on the landscape.
While the decision stands, the community continues to grapple with the environmental, logistical, and social questions it raises, determined to hold developers accountable as the project moves forward.