News that a hugely controversial solar farm is to be built on land between Chippenham and Calne has been greeted with disappointment by people living locally.

The 200-acre project at Forest Gate was given planning permission on March 2 and those who opposed to it have shared their frustration on Facebook.

The solar farm which will dominate fields on the A4 south east of Chippenham, close to the Forest Gate business park - which is part of the Bowood Estate - and opposite The Pewsham pub.

Developer Eden Renewables says the Forest Gate scheme will produce enough electricity for almost 14,000 homes and will save around 20,000 tonnes of CO2 a year.

On the Say No To Forest Gate/Old Derry Hill Power Plant Facebook page one person commented: "Very disappointing that the application has been agreed by a narrow margin. Well done everyone on their efforts.

"Very poor show from the wider village. I guess they must all be in favour. I do think the whole meeting was a shambles. The chairman asked if there was a conflict of interest at the start of the meeting. No one declared.

"Then the most vocal debater suddenly declared at the end of the debate that he had a conflict of interest as he is a personal friend of (Bowood owner) Lord Lansdowne.

"He also declared that the land was owned jointly between Lord Lansdowne and Wiltshire Council.

"Doesn't that make it a conflict of interest for all the council?"

Cabinet member for strategic planning Nick Botterill said in response: "Declarations were requested at the start of the meeting by the chairman, and during the debate, a non-disclosable interest was also raised, but this did not preclude involvement by the committee member.

"The land that has been identified as owned by Wiltshire Council is highways land and does not make up the main body of land on which the solar panels and associated development would be sited.

"These circumstances frequently occur when access points to a development cross the highway verge and would not represent a conflict of interest."

Another comment says: "It was a bloody farce, it was a real shame that more residents weren't there."

But other residents were in support of the plans.

During the planning discussion on March 2 one local came forward and said: "Yes, I'd rather continue to look out on fields but in the face of a looming climate catastrophe what could I say to my grandchildren if they asked me in 20 years' time, why did you oppose the solar farm just because it disrupted your views of North Wiltshire?"

Eden Renewables development manager Ross Wolhuter added: “The project has been well supported both in the local community and across Wiltshire. 

"The land is hard to farm productively and we will be maximising its use with sheep grazing and strong ecological improvements alongside clean energy generation. 

"We’re also really excited about working with Zero North Wiltshire and Bath and West Community Energy to enable the local community to share ownership of the solar farm, which should create substantial additional funds for the benefit of local people on top of Eden's contribution to community and  educational initiatives.”

The plans include a new 30m-wide belt of woodland for screening and biodiversity. New grassland, wildflower areas and ponds are also planned. 

There will be a circular footpath around the site and a fund of £20,00 per year to educate the community on renewable energy. 

A spokesperson for Eden added: "The project will include up to 20 per cent community ownership, working with a new community benefit society, Zero North Wiltshire, and Bath and West Community Energy, which could generate over £5 million that can be recycled back into the local area over the project’s 40-year life - making it the first subsidy-free shared ownership solar farm in Wiltshire."