Island Green Power, the developer behind the proposed Lime Down Solar Park in Wiltshire, has provided a fresh update as it continues to refine plans for the large-scale solar and battery storage facility. The project, which has already undergone two stages of public consultation, is edging closer to submission, with final proposals expected to be lodged with the Planning Inspectorate later this year.
Following the close of its second round of public consultation in March 2025, the company has now confirmed a preferred Cable Route Search Corridor to link the solar arrays with the Melksham Substation. This newly identified route runs south from the on-site 400kV substation and reflects feedback from local residents, landowners and statutory consultees. The developer says the route has been shaped to reduce potential disruption, protect wildlife habitats and avoid significant archaeological sites.
The cable trench is expected to be approximately 1.7 metres wide and up to 2 metres deep, with refinements continuing as part of a detailed environmental and technical review.
Alongside the cable route announcement, Island Green Power has launched a targeted consultation, which opened on Tuesday 3 June and will run until Friday 11 July. The consultation is focused on 15 minor changes to the development boundary. These include six adjustments related to temporary traffic arrangements for abnormal load vehicles during construction, and nine changes made to improve site access while avoiding features like hedgerows and woodland.
Though minor in scale—ranging from just 0.03 to 0.69 hectares—the company stresses the importance of gathering views from residents and stakeholders affected by these localised modifications.
To help local people understand the changes, a live webinar will be hosted on Thursday 19 June from 6:30pm to 8:00pm, with details on how to register available at the project’s website: www.limedownsolar.co.uk.
Will Threlfall, Senior Project Development Manager at Island Green Power, said the public’s input had already shaped the project in meaningful ways:
“We’re thankful for the thoughtful and constructive feedback shared during earlier consultations. It’s playing a vital role in helping us design a scheme that works both technically and for the local community.
The preferred cable route shows clear evidence of that progress — it’s far more focused now, with early indications suggesting the overall corridor area could be reduced by nearly half.
We’re now asking residents who live near these new boundary changes to share any further thoughts. This next stage helps us put forward a more considered application when the time comes to seek consent.”
Anyone wishing to comment on the changes or receive regular updates can do so via the project website, by email at info@limedownsolar.co.uk, or by contacting the community relations team directly on 0808 175 6656.
