Planning Permission Secured for Solar Array at Grade II Listed College Farm House
The Challenge
Our client wanted to relocate a previously approved ground-mounted solar array from the walled garden at College Farm House into an adjoining paddock. The application also required the change of use of part of the land from agricultural to residential. While the new position would allow the array to serve the property effectively, it raised several sensitive planning considerations. College Farm House is Grade II listed, the site lies within the Upavon Conservation Area and a Special Landscape Area, and a public right of way runs along its northern boundary. The array would also sit outside the settlement boundary and be more visible than the previously approved location. The key challenge was therefore to demonstrate that the renewable energy benefits could be delivered without unacceptable effects on the setting of the listed building, the character of the conservation area, the surrounding landscape or users of the public footpath.
Our Approach
ET Planning prepared and coordinated a full planning application supported by a detailed Planning, Design and Access Statement, ecological work and arboricultural information. Building on earlier pre-application discussions, we demonstrated that a small-scale solar scheme was acceptable in principle under Wiltshire Core Strategy Policy 42 and carried clear benefits in reducing carbon emissions and improving the energy performance of the historic property. The layout was carefully designed to limit visual and heritage effects. The 35-metre-wide array was set back from the northern boundary, with a 1.8-metre hazel hurdle fence, mixed native hedging and seven new trees providing screening from the house and public right of way. The submission also demonstrated that access and parking would remain unchanged and that biodiversity net gain could be achieved. Wiltshire Council granted full planning permission on 28 July 2026, subject to proportionate conditions covering tree protection, landscaping and removal of the panels when they are no longer required.
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