Update — October 2024

Island Green Power publishes summary of first stage community consultation into Lime Down Solar Park  

• The Consultation Summary Report sets out findings from the Stage One community consultation

• Statutory consultation on an updated design is anticipated to be held early 2025

Island Green Power, the developer putting forward proposals for Lime Down Solar Park, has published findings from the stage one community consultation. The report outlines the key themes from feedback received on the proposed project and explains how this, with the outcome of environmental assessments, will be used to develop and refine design proposals.  

During the Stage One community consultation, Lime Down Solar Park received: 

• 752 completed paper and online feedback forms; 

• 539 emails; 

• 35 letters; and

• 334 people registered to receive project updates.  

Key themes that were raised in the feedback received on the project design proposals included:  

• Landscape and visual; 

• Soils and agriculture;  

• Ecology and biodiversity;  

• Hydrology, flood risk and drainage;  

• Cultural heritage;  

• Transport and access; 

• Battery safety. 

Will Threlfall, Senior Project Development Manager for Lime Down Solar Park, commented: 

“We would like to thank everyone who has given their time and feedback to the Lime Down Solar Park team during our stage one consultation. It has been invaluable to hear directly from the local community on our proposals, including what must be prioritised in our designs. We now have a better understanding of what is important from a landscape, nature, and community perspective that will be addressed as we refine our plans.  

“Consultation is critical to our design process and, going forward, we will continue to listen to the local community, stakeholders, and key organisations as we develop proposals for Lime Down Solar Park.”  

Following this first stage of public consultation, a second, statutory stage will take place in early 2025 (‘Stage Two’).

This will provide the local community and interested parties with the opportunity to share their feedback on further developed proposals for the Lime Down Solar Park.  

Stage Two will seek feedback on updated designs, including proposed adjustments to the proposed equipment locations and the route of the underground cable connection between the solar and battery areas to Melksham substation, and additional measures to mitigate the impacts associated with the project during construction and operation.