SWINDON continues to lead the way on solar energy development with work starting a giant new farm at the Wroughton Airfield.

Following a lengthy planning process, construction of the 50MW farm, one of the largest in the country, is expected to be completed in several weeks with connection to the grid taking place at the end of March.

The news comes the day after Swindon Borough Council chiefs approved an innovative community investment scheme, the first local authority led one in the country.

When set up, residents will have the chance to invest in another solar project at Common Farm.

Although the Wroughton Airfield project was broadly welcomed by locals, some opposed it so the decision had to be made by a planning inspector.

This was approved and within a few months thousands of homes will be powered by the solar arrays at the farm, which has been run by the council owned Public Power Solutions and the Science museum.

James Owen, Commercial Director at PPS, said: “It’s great news that the construction of the farm is now underway.

“I’m really pleased that the end is in sight and that by the spring, Wroughton Airfield Solar Park will be generating enough clean electricity to supply over 15,400 homes.

“Throughout the process we have been overwhelmed by the exceptionally strong support from the local community and local people will soon be given the opportunity to invest directly in the solar park.”

Matt Moore, Head of Wroughton Site for the Science Museum Group, said: “We’re really pleased to see the solar park taking shape.

“This solar farm effectively puts more electricity into the national grid, from one of our sites, than we use as an organisation, and provides a secure reliable income to help us continue our work conserving the extraordinary objects in our collections.”

Residents living in Wroughton will also benefit as a community fund, totalling around £50,000 a year, has been set up for local projects.

On Wednesday, cabinet also agreed to move forward with developing a 5MW solar project at Common Farm.

When built, residents will have the chance to buy shares in the scheme, with 35 per cent of shares going to investors and the council while the rest will go on community projects.

It will cost £4.8m to build with £3 million coming from the council and £1.8 million from community investors.

The bonds would be provided as a partnership between PPS and Abundance Investment, which has already raised £15 million for 16 projects in three years.

Coun Dale Heenan, the cabinet member for transport and sustainability, said: “The council’s approach to solar farms means that local residents can invest as little as £5 or more than £5,000.

“Whether they are providing for a child’s future, their retirement, or for a rainy day, our approach is democratic finance in action.”

Bruce Davis, Managing Director of Abundance, said: “Forward-thinking developers like PPS are helping to change the way people think about energy in the UK.

“As well as allowing people to have a stake in a local sustainable energy-generating asset, this model delivers excellent benefits for community projects too.”