Chris Rokos, the billionaire hedge fund manager and owner of Tottenham House, a historic 18th-century mansion near Marlborough, has submitted plans to install a solar farm on 40 acres of the estate’s land. The 100-bedroom Tottenham House is part of the expansive 4,500-acre Savernake Estate, where the solar array would be located at North Park, on the estate’s northern edge.
Wiltshire Council is now reviewing the proposal, which aims to modernize the estate by supplying sustainable power to the property. The proposed 688-kilowatt solar installation is expected to generate approximately one-third of the estate’s electricity needs. The site currently serves as grazing land for dairy cattle and is used for silage production.
In addition to the solar panels, the plan includes creating a drainage lagoon and soakaway system. This lagoon will capture excess water during the winter months to be used for irrigation during drier summer periods, helping to maintain the estate’s landscape sustainably.
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While the site borders a public footpath linking the hamlet of Durley with St Katharine’s Church and primary school, it remains largely concealed by existing trees, minimizing visual impact. The project’s proponents emphasize that these efforts are designed to secure the long-term viability and self-sufficiency of Tottenham House and its surrounding buildings.
A planning decision is anticipated from Wiltshire Council in July.