Residents of Wayford, a small village in Somerset, are racing against time to oppose plans for a large solar farm proposed on Mahe Farm, located on Chard Lane between Chard and Crewkerne.
The project, initiated by Milton Keynes-based Greentech Invest UK Ltd. in June 2024, aims to develop a solar farm spanning approximately 26 hectares (64 acres) — roughly equivalent to 36 football pitches. This facility is expected to generate up to 19,000 MWh of renewable energy annually, sufficient to power around 5,100 homes.
Greentech has appealed to the Planning Inspectorate after Somerset Council failed to reach a decision within the statutory period, triggering a public inquiry scheduled for early 2026. Residents must submit formal objections by December 10, 2025, quoting case reference number 3374756 on the Planning Inspectorate website.
READ MORE: MP Condemns Richard Tice’s ‘Dangerous’ Claims on SEND Diagnoses
READ MORE: Heal’s Furniture Shop Opens in Bath Just Ahead of Christmas
The proposed site lies just north of Wayford Cemetery and near the Dorset national landscape, a protected area formerly designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Access for construction and ongoing maintenance would be from the northern end of Chard Lane, with the development planned across fields surrounding Chard Lane and Dunsham Lane.
A spokesperson from Lighthouse Consulting, representing Greentech, emphasized the project’s importance, stating, “The development will provide critical energy infrastructure aligned with national priorities. It will not significantly impact the national landscape’s special qualities or cause adverse flooding or drainage issues.”
However, local opposition is strong. Wayford Parish Council formally objected to the plans, highlighting concerns about the steep gradients of the land at Mahe Farm, which they argue makes the site unsuitable for such a development. Parish clerk Sue Morley expressed worry over potential impacts on private water supplies, stating, “The effects on the various private water supplies are unknown and are a significant cause for concern.”
The public inquiry, led by Inspector John Longmuir, is set to start on February 10, 2026, and is expected to last four days. Details about the venue and any site visits will be announced by Somerset Council in early 2026. The final decision report is anticipated by late spring.