Solar planning consultant in Wiltshire.
Planning for solar farms, battery storage and commercial solar across Wiltshire. Led by our in-house Chartered Town Planner (MRTPI), from our base in Exeter.
Planning that knows Wiltshire.
A local plan reset
Wiltshire Council withdrew its draft Local Plan in May 2026 and is starting again. Its adopted plans still apply, and we plan your application against them.
Landscape and heritage first
Almost half of the council area is National Landscape, and Stonehenge and Avebury are a World Heritage Site. We check views and settings before you spend on surveys.
Solar is familiar here
Wiltshire already has hundreds of megawatts of solar. Councillors know the issues, so a clear, well-evidenced application matters.
Grid and planning together
A consent is only worth having with a grid connection. We check both at the same time, so nothing is wasted.
Planning authorities in Wiltshire.
Wiltshire Council decides most solar farms in Wiltshire, and Swindon Borough Council decides in Swindon. Solar farms up to 100MW are decided by the local planning authority. Larger schemes go through the national planning process, after the threshold rose from 50MW on 31 December 2025.
Planning authorities
- Wiltshire Council (unitary)
- Swindon Borough Council (unitary)
- New Forest National Park Authority (for the small part of Wiltshire in the park)
Protected landscapes
- Cotswolds National Landscape (part)
- North Wessex Downs National Landscape (part)
- Cranborne Chase National Landscape (part)
- New Forest National Park (a small part)
- Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites World Heritage Site
Projects over 100MW, such as Lime Down Solar Park, are decided by the Secretary of State. The council is consulted but does not decide.
Know the cost up front.
The same fees across Wiltshire and the UK. Surveys at cost plus a management fee.
- Desktop feasibility study: solar, wind or battery
- From £650 ex VAT
- Pre-application package
- From £3,000 ex VAT
- Full planning application, up to 10MW
- Price on request
- Full planning application, 10MW to 49.9MW
- Price on request
Solar planning in Wiltshire: questions
Who decides a solar farm planning application in Wiltshire?
Wiltshire Council, or Swindon Borough Council in Swindon. In the small part of Wiltshire inside the New Forest National Park, the National Park Authority decides. Schemes over 100MW go through the national process.
Does Wiltshire Council support solar farms?
Its climate strategy plans for more renewable energy, but it judges each scheme on landscape and heritage. It opposed the 500MW Lime Down Solar Park in January 2026. Well-sited, smaller schemes outside protected landscapes stand the best chance.
How long does solar planning take in Wiltshire?
Local planning authorities aim to decide major applications, which include most solar farms, within 13 weeks, or 16 weeks if an Environmental Impact Assessment is needed. Surveys and pre-application advice come first. We give you a realistic timeline for your site.
What does a solar planning consultant cost?
Most of our fees are published. A pre-application package starts from £3,000 ex VAT. Full applications are priced for each site, so contact us for a quote. Specialist surveys are charged at cost plus a management fee.
Related
- Solar planning in Devon →
- Solar planning in Cornwall →
- Solar planning in Somerset →
- Solar planning in Dorset →
- Solar planning in Gloucestershire →
- Solar farm land in Wiltshire →
- Grid consultancy →
- Guide: small ground-mount planning →
Sources: Wiltshire Council: landscape conservation · Wiltshire Council: Local Plan withdrawn · Wiltshire Council: climate strategy, energy · Wiltshire Council: Lime Down Solar Park · UNESCO: Stonehenge and Avebury · Ofgem: connection offers timetable. Checked 25 October 2026.
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