Underground cable route approved for controversial solar farm
Construction of the cable route is set to take up to 18 weeks
An underground cable route is set to be laid for a 49.9MW solar farm near Chippenham.
Plans were approved for the Forest Gate Solar Farm in 2023, due to be located on land off the A4 at Pewsham.
Now, Wiltshire Council has approved plans for a 4.28km underground cable linking the site to Chippenham Substation.
According to the application, the majority of the cable route follows existing infrastructure comprising cycle track, roads, footpaths and road verges.
The case officer report describes the remainder of the route as “modified grassland of poor condition”.
The cable will be buried beneath the ground in a trench of approximately 0.5m in width and up to 1.5m deep.
Construction is expected to take 15 to 18 weeks.
The original application proved divisive in the community, with the council receiving representations from 155 objectors and approximately 229 supporters.
In a covering letter, applicants Eden Renewables told the council: “Given the proposal’s negligible impacts on heritage, arboriculture and ecology, and the lack of impact of landscape, the proposed development is in accordance with all relevant planning policy set out in adopted and emerging development plan documents; it should therefore be approved without delay.”
Wiltshire Council sent its approval on Thursday, March 13.
In other planning news, the council has received an application requesting permission for the extension of the existing horticultural building at Midge Hall Nurseries.
The owner is the director of Hedgeworx Ltd a horticultural company which specialises in growing and selling specialist topiary, hedges and ornamental trees.
The business is located in the parish of Lydiard Tregoze, on the outskirts of Royal Wootton Bassett.
According to the plans, the success of the tree nursery over the past 14 years has resulted in requirement to provide a space for client engagement.
The application states: “The proposed development seeks to add an extension to the existing office on site, creating a suitable meeting area and viewing area. The new space will also allow for improvement of the existing facilities for staff including a new dedicated drying space for protective clothing.
“The development would provide much needed additional space to allow the nursery and the business to continue to grow.”