Forest Gate Solar Farm 

UPDATE - JULY 2024

Grid connection route

We have submitted a planning application to Wiltshire Council for the cable route which will connect Forest Gate solar farm (consented in March 2023) to the electricity substation at Chippenham. To view the planning application visit Wiltshire council’s planning portal, reference PL/2024/05649, where you will also be able to submit your comments.

CABLE route - KEY FACTS

The proposed route can be seen in the map to the right.

• Cables will be buried underground for the full length of the route, so there will be no visual impact.

• No trees would be removed and any disturbed land would be restored to its previous condition so there will be minimal ecological impact.

• Construction is expected to take 15 to 18 weeks in total and would be phased along the route.

• Construction would take place around the same time as the solar farm is built, in Spring/Summer 2025.

• The application mostly avoids the built-up area of Chippenham and does not require digging up any roads, to minimise disruption.

• The majority of the cable route is within agricultural fields or the embankment alongside the old Calne - Chippenham railway cycle track (NCN 403) which will be kept open at all times.

• We will use directional drilling (which goes underneath and avoids digging up the cycle path) for approximately 650m along the cycle track close to Chippenham, either side of the river, and through the wooded section at the western end, and approximately 300m along footpath CHIP44 and byway CHIP45.

• The rest of the route goes either in road verges or through fields.

• Ecological, heritage and arboricultural surveys have been carried out along the full route and submitted with the planning application.
  

SOLAR FARM - KEY FACTS

With growing competition for land for food production, biodiversity, and carbon reduction and sequestration, Forest Gate solar farm is an exemplar of multifunctional land use which combines these three objectives. The planning application was approved by Wiltshire Council on 2nd March 2023.

• Land north of the A4, east of Chippenham, at Forest Gate (postcode SN15 3RU)

• Installed capacity: 49.9 MW

• Low cost power generation helps to bring down the cost of electricity for everyone

• Electricity generated equivalent to the consumption of approx 13,300 homes

• Approximately 19,000 tonnes CO2 saved each year

• Biodiversity net gain of 18% for habitat units and 16% for hedgerows.  Our approach to biodiversity 

• New buffer 25-30m wide comprising a mix of mature and fast-growing trees and hedgerow planting along the boundary with A4 will provide effective and immediate  screening, boost biodiversity and absorb carbon

• Diverse grassland and wildflower areas using native species will be created 

• Moderate quality land will continue in agricultural use with sheep grazing  

• Temporary use of land for 40 years after which it will return to original use

• Easy access via existing field entrances on the A4

• Grid connection point at Chippenham sub-station where capacity has been secured

• No statutory designations such as Green Belt or AONB

• Eden is committed to an ethical, transparent, environmentally sustainable supply chain and is a signatory to SE-UK’s industry supply chain statement.