A proposed solar farm at Blenches Mill Farm in Westbury is set to go ahead, after it was given permission by Wiltshire Council.

The planned 12.5-hectare site, which is adjacent to the sewage treatment works in Slag Lane, was agreed by Wiltshire Council at their planning meeting on November 27.

The initial planning application for the site was registered in November 2012 and was only recommended by the council’s planning officer after a bat survey and extensive archaeology works were carried out.

Once completed, the solar farm will see approximately 23,400 panels set out in rows to maximise sunlight and energy production, generating around to 5.85MW of electricity – enough to meet the equivalent annual needs of 1,740 typical UK households.

The ground under and around the panels will be used for agricultural purposes, including sheep grazing, while the footpath will be retained and hedgerows will provide screening of the site and ecological benefits.