Public to get say over huge solar park plans
PAThe public is set to have its say on plans for a controversial new solar park north of the M4 in Wiltshire.
Island Green Power has submitted plans to build a 500-megawatt solar farm, known as Lime Down Solar Park, between Malmesbury and the M4.
Nearly 5,000 people have written to the Planning Inspectorate about the plans, with the majority objecting to it.
The first public hearing into plans will be held in April when a panel of inspectors will listen to arguments for and against the development.
A recommendation will then be made to the secretary of state for energy, Ed Milliband, who will make the final decision on the plans, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Lime Down Solar Park would be four miles (6.4km) wide and two miles (3.2km) long, with solar panels that would stand at 14.7ft (4.5m) tall.
The scheme has faced huge criticism from locals who have voiced concerns over loss of agricultural land, the scale of industrialisation and flood risk.
Other reasons for objection include loss of public rights of way, noise and light pollution, and over construction traffic using narrow rural roads.
Wiltshire Council has also objected to the plans, citing "significant unresolved concerns".
The Planning Inspectorate will hold a preliminary meeting at Neeld Community & Arts Centre in Chippenham on 21 April.
It will be followed by the first open floor hearing, during which interested parties can make oral representations to the inspectors.
The first of a number of issue-specific hearings – this one relating to the scope of the project – will be held at the same venue the following day.
The Planning Inspectorate has given a provisional date of October 21 for the close of the examination stage.
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