A vast solar farm covering an area equivalent to 130 football pitches could soon overshadow a significant portion of the rural Somerset Space Walk, a much-loved trail along the historic Bridgwater and Taunton Canal.
This scenic route stretches from near Maunsel Tea Rooms to the Brewhouse Theatre in Taunton and the Morrisons supermarket in Bridgwater. Managed by the Canal and River Trust, the canal remains a popular spot for walking, cycling, paddle-boarding, and other outdoor activities. Somerset Council aims to enhance the area through the Taunton waterways strategy and the government-backed Bridgwater town deal.
However, these plans face disruption due to a proposed solar farm at Fordgate Farm in North Petherton parish. In August, IBV Fordgate Solar Ltd. submitted an application to develop a solar energy facility on 94 hectares (232 acres) of active farmland adjacent to the canal, between the Saturn and Uranus markers on the Space Walk. The northern boundary nears the future Hinkley Point C campus in Huntworth, and the site will be accessed from Park Lane near North Petherton’s planned medical centre.
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Expected to provide power for approximately 13,500 homes—about one-third of Bridgwater’s population—the solar farm could operate for up to 40 years. Supporting infrastructure will include photovoltaic panel arrays, transformers, and a substation. The developer emphasizes the project’s environmental benefits, estimating annual avoidance of 8,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions, with the land promised to be restored to agriculture after its operational life.
Despite these claims, the proposal has sparked concern among local residents and conservationists. The farmland, classified as Grade 3b and limited by its wetness and proximity to waterways, is not prime agricultural land but still valued. The Canal and River Trust warns that the solar arrays will mar the canal’s tranquil rural ambiance, potentially harming tourism and leisure activities that rely on the towpath’s natural setting.
Local voices have expressed skepticism. North Petherton resident Janet Collingwood described the plan as a threat to the area’s character and beauty. Andy Anderson questioned the financial benefits for locals, pointing out increased electricity prices despite the proliferation of renewable energy projects. Ian Norton, an employee at Hinkley Point C, criticized the loss of farmland to solar development.
While Sedgemoor District Council has previously approved a nearby solar farm at Impens Farm—yet to be realized—this latest application received preliminary approval in early October from Somerset Council planning officers, allowing the developer to submit detailed proposals before year-end. A final decision is anticipated by spring 2026, leaving the future of the canal’s landscape uncertain.