Plans for large solar farm at Petersfinger

A planning application's been put in by a Community Energy group

Stock image of solar farm
Author: Faye TryhornPublished 17th Sep 2023

There are plans for a solar farm at Petersfinger, next to Salisbury's sewage treatment works.

A planning application's been drawn up by Wiltshire Wildlife Community Energy, and submitted to Wiltshire Council.

Salisbury Community Energy has also helped put together the proposals - having experience in installing solar panels around the city centre, including on the roof of the Cathedral and at Bishop Wordsworth School.

Community Energy projects are local not-for-profit organisations, where residents purchase shares in solar projects, supporting areas to become net zero.

The seven acre site at Petersfinger would include over 2,700 panels if the scheme gets approved.

It's expected they'd create enough electricity to power the equivalent of 430 homes.

Another 40 acres of land surrounding the site would then also be managed by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, with the aim of improving biodiversity.

The solar farm would sit just next to the Water Treatment Works at Petersfinger, if the plans are approved

Existing trees and hedgerows would shield the site from public view, with more hedgerows planted to help.

A community grant fund would also be set up if the project goes ahead, to put funding into schemes that increase biodiversity or decrease carbon emissions.

Comments are now being taken on the planning application, until early October, through the Wiltshire Council website.

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