The Strategic Planning Committee of Wiltshire Council was scheduled to consider two significant planning applications. These included a proposal for an anaerobic digestion facility near Ashton Keynes and a solar farm with battery storage at Whistle Mead, near Melksham.

Land West of Ashton Road, Ashton Keynes

The committee was scheduled to consider a full planning application for the construction and operation of an anaerobic digestion (AD) facility, along with ancillary infrastructure and a new access road from Ashton Road. The proposal, located on agricultural land west of Ashton Keynes, aimed to process approximately 91,000 tonnes of agricultural feedstock annually to produce biomethane, digestate fertiliser, and captured CO₂. The report pack indicated that the design had undergone several revisions to reduce its scale and visual impact, including lowering site levels and reducing the number of digester tanks. Key considerations for discussion included the principle of development in the countryside, landscape and visual impact, traffic and highway safety, ecology, amenity impacts (noise, odour, air quality), flood risk, and land quality. The report recommended granting planning permission, subject to a Section 106 agreement for off-site ecological mitigation and a range of planning conditions.

Whistle Mead Solar Farm, Little Chalfield, Melksham

The committee was also scheduled to consider a proposal for a temporary solar farm, with a generating capacity of up to 24.14MW, along with associated infrastructure including battery storage, access tracks, and landscaping. The application sought temporary planning permission for 40 years for the site near Little Chalfield. The report highlighted that the proposal had been significantly revised since its initial submission, with a reduction in the developable area, fewer panels, and a lowered panel height. The existing agricultural use of the land, including grazing of farm animals, was intended to continue alongside the solar farm. Discussions were expected to cover the principle of development, landscape and visual impact, heritage assets, ecology, highway safety, and drainage. The report recommended approving the application, subject to planning conditions.