Solar farm at Swinton Barracks approved despite reptile concerns

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 06:19 · Archive

Wiltshire Council has approved final planning conditions for a solar farm at Swinton Barracks near Swindon, metres from family homes.

Wiltshire Council has formally discharged all construction management, environment and ecology conditions for a solar farm at Swinton Barracks near Swindon. The development, granted planning permission in August, will see thousands of ground-mounted solar panels installed on land beside Lambdown Terrace. The MOD has said solar arrays like this one, at Perham Down home of the 22 Engineer Regiment, will help the Ministry hit Net Zero by 2025.

The site is a former horse-grazing paddock that planners were told supports an exceptional population of reptiles, including slow worms, which are a protected species. Consultees from highways, ecology and public protection confirmed that submitted construction and environmental management measures met the requirements set when permission was granted.

Ecologists accepted the proposed mitigation measures but recommended monitoring during construction because there remains a residual risk of reptiles being harmed if they re-enter working areas. Construction can now proceed in accordance with the approved plans.

How it is being reported

• Solar farm to be built just metres from family homesA controversial solar array just metres from family homes has moved a significant step closer.Wiltshire Times · 9 Oct, 05:00
• Solar farm to be built just metres from family homesA controversial solar array just metres from family homes has moved a significant step closer.Gazette & Herald · 9 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Wiltshire Council · MOD · Swinton Barracks · Swindon · 22 Engineer Regiment · Perham Down

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