PLANS for a huge solar farm in Melksham have been approved on appeal.

The 80.5-hectare site, which will supply energy to more than 11,000 homes, is to be built on land at Snarlton Lane, near Sandridge Hill, after being approved on appeal by a government planning inspector last Friday.

Wiltshire Council’s strategic planning committee refused to give developer St John Hughes permission last year, but he challenged their decision and won.

As part of the development, Mr Hughes will put just over £1m into a community pot to benefit residents in and around Melksham. Around £44,000 will be given every year from the solar farm to the community for the span of its 25 year lifetime.

He said: “This is a good result for local people. The project has been strongly supported by local people, organisations and three local parish councils from the start and in the appeal, six out of every seven representations were in favour of the project.

“As well as delivering a substantial amount of clean renewable energy, we look forward to supporting the local community through the significant benefit fund the project will generate for economic, social, environmental improvement.”

Mr Hughes, who runs Sandridge Solar Power Ltd, will begin talks with the councils which will receive the money. They are Melksham Town Council and the parish councils of Melksham Without, Bromham, Seend and Rowde.

Residents will also be able to apply for funding for projects and are being encouraged to contact their parish council with suggestions.

Wiltshire Council’s refusal to grant planning permission last year was based on issues relating to landscape and visual impact, but in the planning inspector's report he said: “I conclude that the proposal avoids the use of the best and most versatile land. It conforms to the requirements of the development plan and the framework in that regard and is appropriately located on agricultural land.”

Campaign group Wiltshire Protect and a number of residents including in Seend were unhappy about the farm. Jonathan Seed, councillor for the village, said: “Solar farms provoke high emotions and the majority of the residents of Seend and I opposed this solar farm, largely because of the sheer size of it and will be disappointed that it is proceeding.”