Residents opposing a vast solar farm project in Wiltshire have elevated their protest—literally—by flying a banner above their demonstration. The banner carried the message: “No To Corporate Greed – Stop Lime Down.”
The protest was organized by the group Stop Lime Down, who gathered on Sunday to march against plans for a sprawling 2,220-acre solar farm that would span six sites near Hullavington, Stanton St Quintin, Sherston, and Luckington.
While many demonstrators wore red to symbolize their cause, they stressed their support for solar energy in principle. Their issue is with the “industrial scale” of the development proposed for what they describe as a beautiful rural valley.
Hundreds joined a walk along the historic Fosse Way, a Roman road crossing some of the threatened farmland, as part of nationwide protests against large-scale solar farms.
Local residents voiced concerns that productive farmland is being sacrificed unnecessarily. Farmer Mike Mitchell stated, “I am protesting against all this good farmland being wasted on solar panels when it should be used for growing food.” Another protester, Sarah, added, “Solar panels should be installed on car parks and warehouses—we have plenty of space already paved.”
Piers, another marcher, emphasized urgency: “We only have one chance to stop this. New alternatives will soon be available that won’t damage our landscape.”
The developer behind the project, Island Green Power, asserts that the renewable energy installation would supply power to 115,000 homes. Yet, the ownership of the company by global investment giant Macquarie Asset Management has sparked controversy.
Macquarie previously owned Thames Water, during which time the water company’s debt ballooned, and infrastructure suffered. Local MP Roz Savage raised these concerns in Parliament, labeling the development a “security issue” due to Macquarie’s profit-driven approach.
In a House of Commons speech, Ms. Savage said, “Macquarie is not interested in home-grown, community-led energy; its business model is to build big, move fast, and maximize returns, regardless of the cost to people, nature, or public trust.”
Although unable to join the Sunday march, Ms. Savage supported protesters at a fundraising event and pledged to use all parliamentary tools available to oppose the project.
Because the planned capacity exceeds 50 megawatts, the project is designated a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project, meaning final approval lies with Secretary of State Ed Miliband, not Wiltshire Council.
Wiltshire Council has already expressed strong opposition, citing the environmental impact of converting so much farmland.
Island Green Power plans to submit its development application by the end of the year, with hopes to begin construction in 2027 pending approval.