Solar farm the size of 120 football pitches to be built near M4

Wiltshire Council has granted planning permission for the Flaxlands Solar Farm near the M4, approving a project expected to generate enough electricity for thousands of homes. The 49.9-megawatt scheme will cover around 87 hectares at Flaxlands Farm, between Royal Wootton Bassett and Hook, and will run for up to 40 years before being removed and land restored to agriculture. It includes a large battery energy storage system, electrical infrastructure, habitat creation areas, and a 15-metre communications tower. Officers acknowledged “industrialising change” in a rural landscape, citing “moderate localised landscape harm,” but said mitigation could reduce impacts. Consultation drew 29 objections and 25 supports, with fire risk, wildlife and agricultural land loss among concerns.