A second solar farm in Broughton Gifford has been granted planning permission, after councillors visited the site this morning.

Wiltshire Council’s western area planning board approved plans for a 30 hectare site on land south east of Leechpool Farm, off Norrington Lane.

The application was ‘called in’ to the committee by Melksham Without North Councillor Terry Chivers, who joined members for a visit to the site this morning.

Developers Hive Energy claim the farm could produce enough electricity to power 4,500 homes.

The site is a short distance from a 22-hectare solar farm currently under construction on land off Norrington Lane. A third solar farm has also been proposed for an additional 20-hectares of solar panels in nearby Little Chalfield, with a formal planning application expected to be submitted shortly.