Secretary of State grants permission for called-in Swindon solar park

The Secretary of State has granted planning permission for a large solar park at a former airfield at Wroughton, Swindon. The application was made by Swindon Commercial Services Limited and the Science Museum. The proposed ground mounted PV solar arrays would on a 67 hectare site would provide c. 40MW generation capacity. The application site lies within the North Downs AONB and was opposed by Natural England, the AONB Unit and English Heritage. The proposals will generate enough renewable electricity for c 12,000 hones. In addition it would provide an income stream to assist the Science Museum with the preservation and conservation of 35,000 larger objects of national importance as well as half a million library and archive texts it stores in hangers on the former airfield. The items stored include a 140 tonne hot metal printing press, the world’s first Hydrogen fuel car, two Trident missiles, a number of airliners and the Tucker Snow Cat. James Maurici QC appeared for the applicants, Swindon Commercial Services Limited and the Science Museum, instructed by Pegasus Planning. Richard Clarke appeared for Swindon Borough Council. Scott Lyness appeared for English Heritage. For press coverage click here