Heritage strategy and expert witness support for a major solar energy scheme
The project
Orion Heritage provided archaeological and built heritage advice for Swallett Energy Park, a proposed solar farm near Chippenham designed to deliver significant renewable energy capacity alongside substantial biodiversity enhancements.
The scheme involved a complex range of heritage considerations, including potential impacts on archaeology, heritage assets and the wider historic landscape. Orion Heritage prepared separate archaeological and built heritage assessments to support the planning application, alongside archaeological evaluation work and geophysical survey.
As the design evolved, Orion Heritage also worked closely with the wider consultant team to help refine the scheme layout in response to built heritage concerns raised during the planning process. This included providing strategic heritage input to support a more sensitive and balanced approach to development within the surrounding historic environment.
Despite receiving a recommendation for approval, the application was refused planning permission at committee stage.
The result
Orion Heritage continued to support the project team through the subsequent appeal process, acting as heritage expert witness at the appeal hearing. Our role focused on presenting clear, proportionate and evidence-led heritage arguments addressing both archaeology and built heritage issues associated with the scheme.
The Planning Inspector ultimately agreed with Orion Heritage’s assessment and wider planning arguments, overturning the refusal and granting planning permission on appeal.
The approved scheme will now deliver meaningful renewable energy generation alongside a reported 79% biodiversity net gain, demonstrating how carefully considered renewable energy development and robust heritage strategy can successfully work together.
Key outcomes
- Archaeological and built heritage assessments prepared for a major solar energy scheme
- Archaeological evaluation and geophysical survey undertaken in support of the application
- Strategic heritage input informing design and layout revisions
- Heritage expert witness evidence provided at appeal hearing
- Planning refusal successfully overturned at appeal
- Planning permission secured for renewable energy development with significant biodiversity benefits
