INGLESHAM residents are watching in dismay as nearby Lynt Farm Solar Park takes shape and anger over its original planning permission remains.

The solar farm is being built to the east of the A361 between Highworth and Inglesham and covers 50.4 hectares to the south east of Lynt Farm. It will generate enough electricity to power 7,200 homes.

Andrew Forman, 66, has acted as a spokesman for villagers opposing the application since it was first brought to the public’s attention.

The architect has criticised the behaviour of the Swindon Council planning committee at its meeting on December 9 last year, when it gave Hive Energy the green light to start work on its 24mw project.

The application was originally sent for the consideration of the planning committee after Highworth Town Council and Lechlade Town Council submitted objections.

“The objections were ignored by the committee. It was a sham, really, because the very next day at 8am there were 20 cars and lorries waiting outside to get started,” he said.

“They were just going through the motions, basically. None of the committee members were interested in any arguments or objections.

“They just stared at the ceiling, twiddling their thumbs. It was prejudged and we are stuck with the thing.”

Andrew has watched progress at the solar farm from the first floor of his home, which overlooks the site.

Frames are already in place across the fields, ready for the solar panels to be delivered and attached.

It will be the sixth solar farm in the vicinity of Highworth.

As a part of the application, it was agreed £96,000 would be set aside by the developer for a community benefit fund for Inglesham, which will be controlled by Highworth Town Council.

“Everyone is rather fed up with it, particularly those who have a view from their windows,”Andrew said.

“I don’t think there’s anything we can do about it. We are just stuck watching.

“There was some money that they were saying they would offer to Inglesham parish for community uses.

“But that’s been appropriated by Swindon Council and probably gone into their general pot.

“The councillors are hung up on this idea of being the solar city of the south, bearing in mind the number of solar farms already around the town.

“I’m sure there are a few people who think this is the answer to everything, but to the rest of us it seems somewhat futile.

“The time when demand for electricity goes up is in the winter, when these things don’t function.”

Coun Colin Lovell (Con, St Margaret & South Marston), the chairman of the planning committee, said: “The planning committee has always listened to objections from members of the public, “But we have to take all representations and look at all of the facts and determine whether we should grant permission or not.

“I know it doesn’t always go the way the public want it to, but that’s the nature of planning.”