The future of a proposed solar farm at Little Chalfield continues to hang in the balance, as councillors decided to conduct a site visit to check on access issues before any decision is made.

HGV access to the site, west of Ganbrook Farm, was at the forefront of Wiltshire Council’s western area planning meeting in Trowbridge.

Concerns were initially raised by Broughton Gifford resident Tony Cooper on how the access lanes and surrounding areas will be affected by the vehicles.

Mr Cooper said: “Domestic vehicles have to negotiate one another, so how HGVs are going to do it, I do not know.”

He warned that the country lanes were not designed for HGV usage and “will get broken down”.

This was also echoed by Mitch Roberts, clerk of Atworth Parish Council, and by Wiltshire councillor Terry Chivers, who represents Melksham Without North.

Coun Ernie Clark (Hilperton) called for Coun Chivers to accept the amendment for a site visit, with six members in favour and four against.

Yesterday’s meeting also gave opposition and those in support of the proposal the opportunity to express their views to the committee.

Little Chalfield resident Sarah Morely said: “People within the community feel very strongly their local landscape is under serious threat.”

But resident Antony Fuller said the plans would “present an important diversification”.

Wiltshire Council planning officer Alison Hall emphasised that the solar farm, planned by developers Sun Edison and Solar Planning Limited, would not have a cumulative impact.

However, opposition stressed that if approved, there will be 15 solar farms within five miles of Melksham, seven of which will be within three miles of Little Chalfield.