Developer apologises after 'bizarre' solar farm letter

Landowners were sent a letter offering them thousands of pounds if they withdrew any pre-existing objections

A "troubling" letter sent by the developer behind controversial solar farm plans appears to attempt to "buy locals' silence", a councillor claims.

People near Malmesbury in Wiltshire have been offered thousands of pounds for the use of their land to connect the planned Lime Down Solar Park to the National Grid.

As reported by the Telegraph, residents were offered the cash under the condition they withdraw any pre-existing objections to the project.

Developer Island Green Power apologised for the wording in the letter and stated: "After investigating, we are addressing this with the team responsible and corrected versions will be sent to landowners."

Councillor Martin Smith, from Wiltshire Council, said: "It is a very bizarre situation.

"In my view, this is essentially…buying the silence of landowners. It's very troubling for residents and Wiltshire Council."

The Lime Down Solar Park, which has faced local backlash, would be one of the UK's biggest solar farms, covering more than 2,000 acres.

Island Green Power also plans for a 14-mile (22km) underground cable to connect the panels to the National Grid.

Richard Tanner farms near Grittleton and received a letter - seen by the BBC - but says he was not tempted to make a financial agreement.

He said: "If it is a bribe, it's not a very attractive bribe from my position.

"I'd sooner they kept their cash. Ultimately, this proposal is incredibly disruptive to my life."

Lime Down Solar Park is designed to create 500 megawatts of green energy

If plans are approved, the Lime Down Solar Farm project could deliver up to 500 megawatts of renewable electricity to power approximately 115,000 homes every year.

The solar farm would be spread across six locations around Hullavington, Stanton St Quintin, Sherston, and Luckington.

They would be connected to the National Grid's Melksham substation through underground cabling – which would have to be channelled under the M4.

A spokesperson from Island Green Power said: "The wording on objecting to the project is not in our standard heads of terms and should not have been included.

"Heads of terms are voluntary agreements, and landowners are not obliged to sign them.

"However, any who choose to sign will also be able to object to the project and make representations to the Planning Inspectorate if that is what they wish to do."

The solar park has been designated as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP), which means the application will be decided by the Secretary of State, and not Wiltshire Council.

A decision is expected within the next few weeks.