Update — July 2024
Lime Down Solar reaches development milestone with submission of scoping report
Environmental Impact Assessment Scoping Report submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for consultation with expert bodies
Additional 44 hectares of land included to enhance buffer zones between infrastructure and sensitive assets such as the Fosse Way and residential properties.
Statutory consultation on detailed proposals expected to take place in early 2025.
The Planning Inspectorate published the Scoping Report on their webpage for Lime Down Solar Park, available here.
Island Green Power has today submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) scoping report for Lime Down Solar Park to the Planning Inspectorate. This marks the next milestone in development of proposals for the Project after the first stage of community consultation which took place earlier this year.
The proposals for Lime Down Solar Park include installation of ground-mounted solar photovoltaic panels, onsite battery energy storage and installation of underground cable that will connect the site to the national grid at Melksham substation approximately 20 kilometres away. Subject to being agreed by planning authorities and the community, Lime Down Solar Park could deliver up to 500 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy, enough to power over 115,000 homes annually.
Will Threlfall, Senior Project Development Manager, Island Green Power said:
'We are pleased to reach the next milestone in the development of our proposals for Lime Down Solar Park. The Scoping Report gives more detail on the project and sets out the environmental criteria we’ll use to evaluate the potential effects of any development. Our findings will guide actions to reduce and manage impacts on the local landscape and environment, and address residents' concerns’.
‘We’d like to thank everyone who took the time to respond to the initial consultation. Your feedback highlighted how important the area is and the need to protect treasured views and walks, wildlife, and local ecology. All the points raised are reflected in this Environmental Scoping Report and will be factored into our development of the project.
‘In response to feedback, we’ve worked with the project landowners and are pleased to confirm that an additional 44 hectares of land has been made available for the project design. This land will be used to increase buffer zones, putting more distance between solar infrastructure and sensitive areas such as the Cotswold National Landscape, heritage assets including the Fosse Way, landscape features, Public Rights of Way, and residential properties.’
EIA Scoping Process
Over the next 42 days, the Planning Inspectorate will consult on the Lime Down project proposals with stakeholders including Wiltshire Council, Statutory Environmental Bodies (SEBs) and other groups with specific expertise and responsibilities related to environmental protection. This feedback will then be used to provide Island Green Power with Scoping Opinion* setting out key areas that must be addressed as part of the application for development consent for Lime Down.
Scoping Opinion*, together with the findings from ongoing environmental surveys and assessments and design development work, will inform the development of the Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR). This is a core document that informs the second stage of consultation.
*Note (28.08.24): On 22 August 2024 the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) published the Scoping Opinion for Lime Down Solar Park on the PINS website, which you can read by clicking here.
Next steps
The second stage of consultation is expected to take place in early 2025 to provide people with another opportunity to comment on proposals for Lime Down ahead of an application for development consent being submitted to the Planning Inspectorate.
During this statutory stage of consultation, the community will be asked to share their views on the design of the project including where equipment is located; the route of the underground cable connection between the solar park and Melksham substation; construction; and the measures being put in place to reduce the project’s impact on the local area.
