UK solar and storage developer Island Green Power (IGP) has made progress on its Lime Down Solar project after the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) accepted its application for a development consent (DCO).
The Nationally Important Infrastructure Project (NSIP), located in Wiltshire, is moving into the pre-investigation phase, which could last up to three months. The solar plus storage project includes a 500 MW export connection, a 250 MW import connection and a 1 GWh battery energy storage system (BESS).
IGP, which is 100% owned by Australian investor Macquarie Group, submitted the Lime Down Solar Park to PINS on September 19, 2025, with exploration expected to begin in the next three months.
Senior Project Development Manager at IGP, Will Threlfall, said: “This is a significant milestone for Lime Down Solar Park. The project team has worked hard to deliver a proposal that incorporates community feedback, as well as the findings of a series of extensive surveys across the area. We are grateful to everyone who worked with us throughout the development process.
“The next step, starting soon, will be a period in which people can submit relevant comments directly to the Planning Inspectorate. I encourage people to take part.”
Although the project is making progress, it has not ceased to face local opposition as the development area of the project will cover almost 3,000 hectares spread over five plots. The solar sites themselves will span nearly 878 hectares (2,169 acres) of mostly agricultural fields.
Indicative location of the Lime Down Solar project. Image: Island Green Power
Wiltshire Council, which has no power to approve or reject the project, has objected to the construction of the factory for various reasons, including the fact that the site contains “30% of the best and most versatile agricultural land”, the cumulative impact or net biodiversity gain is only 10% rather than 20% “to meet local plan objectives”.
IGP is working on various NSIPs
This project, along with a few others from IGP of similar size, was among the list of NSIPs to watch this year, because covered by last year Solar energy portal. Among IGP’s NSIP projects that have received a favorable DCO are the Cottam Solar Project and the West Burton Solar PV power plant, while the Green Hill Solar Project – which consists of 500MW solar PV and 500MW BESS – entered the exploration phase today (October 21).
The 600 MW Cottam Solar Project was awarded a DCO in September 2024 and will be located in West Lindsay, Lincolnshire. The solar PV installation is expected to be combined with a BESS. Meanwhile, the West Burton Solar project was awarded DCO earlier this year. The project, located between Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, will have a solar PV capacity of 480 MW.
The news comes less than a week after a new NSIP, the 500MW Tillbridge Solar power plant, received approval from the British government. A joint venture between renewable developers Tribus Clean Energy and Recurrent Energy, the project was the 17e clean energy NSIP approved by the current Labor government and the 10e solar NSIP by Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, for a total of 4.5 GW approved to date.
