In a surprising move, the British government has granted planning consent for a massive solar park in Wiltshire, overturning the local council’s previous refusal of the project. The 23-megawatt Swallett Energy Park, set to cover an area the size of 160 football pitches between Dauntsey and Christian Malford, will now move forward despite concerns raised by Wiltshire Council and local residents.
The council’s strategic planning committee had voted down the plans in March 2025, citing worries over the development’s impact on the local landscape and designated heritage assets. Over 50 letters of objection were submitted by concerned residents. However, the project’s developer, Exagen Development Limited, appealed the council’s decision, leading to a one-day hearing on 16 December.
In his findings, planning inspector Ben Plenty acknowledged the visual impact of the solar arrays but concluded that the proposal would have a “largely non-invasive and restorative impact on the landscape features.” He noted that the development would retain and enhance existing hedgerows and tree groups, preserving the field patterns.
While the residents of Malford House and Great Ridgeway Farm, both dating back to the 1700s, will be able to see the solar park from their homes, Plenty determined that the benefits of the renewable energy project outweighed these concerns.
The solar panels are expected to generate enough electricity to power more than 9,400 homes, a significant contribution to the UK’s renewable energy targets. However, the council’s initial rejection highlighted the ongoing tensions between local authorities and national government over the siting of large-scale renewable energy infrastructure.
This decision is likely to reignite debates over the balance between local planning considerations and the broader national imperative to transition to clean energy sources. As the government pushes for more renewable projects, local communities may continue to voice concerns over the impact on their landscapes and heritage.
The Swallett Energy Park is set to become a visible symbol of the UK’s renewable energy ambitions, with the government’s overruling of the local council’s decision demonstrating its determination to accelerate the country’s transition to a low-carbon future.
