Roz Savage MP Receives Response from Cabinet Minister on Lime Down Solar Park

Roz Savage MP has received a letter from the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband, in response to her letters raising questions about the proposed Lime Down Solar Park in Wiltshire.

This follows her Westminster Hall debate on Solar Parks on Agricultural Land on 28th January 2025, as well as her ongoing engagement with the government following the second reading of her Climate and Nature Bill on 24th January 2025.

The proposal, which includes a large-scale solar farm, battery storage, and a 13-mile cable to the National Grid, has prompted discussions, both in Westminster and locally, about striking the right balance between accelerating renewable energy and ensuring strong community engagement in planning decisions.

While Roz is keenly aware of the need to transition away from fossil fuels, she wants to see small-scale, community-led renewable energy schemes. In her letters, she highlighted the need for a national strategy that prioritises brownfield and rooftop solar panels, as well as the importance of local communities having a say in major infrastructure projects. She also wants to see fair benefits for residents, such as reduced energy tariffs for those living near renewable developments.

In his response, Ed Miliband confirmed that the Lime Down Solar Park is still at the pre-application stage, with further consultation in early 2025, which is currently taking place. He encouraged local residents to engage in the process, stating:

“I encourage you and your constituents to continue to provide your views on the proposed Lime Down Solar Project through the consultation process and to utilise these opportunities to share your views with the developer - Island Green Power. Responding to an Applicant's pre-application consultation is the best time to influence a project, whether you agree, disagree, or believe it could be improved.”

The Secretary of State’s response does not give any indication which way his decision will go, which of course is the key concern of local residents. Roz will continue to follow the process closely to ensure that local people are heard.

This exchange of letters reflects Roz’s broader work on environmental policy, including the Climate and Nature Bill. As a result of her efforts, the government has committed to working with her on bridging the gap between policy and delivery of several environmental objectives, ensuring that independent and cross-party voices contribute to shaping the UK’s climate and nature strategy.

Ed Miliband recognised Roz’s contributions to tackling climate change and restoring nature during a recent Environmental Audit Committee meeting and confirmed that he is working with her to create an annual statement on the government’s progress on tackling the climate and nature crises.

Roz is encouraging constituents to engage with the current Lime Down Solar Park consultation and remains committed to working for a renewable energy transition that balances environmental urgency with local perspectives.

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Editor’s notes:

• Below are the two letters that Roz Savage sent to Ed Miliband on 30^th September 2024 and 14^th July 2024.
• Below is the response from Ed Miliband dated 6^th February 2025.
• A link to Ed Miliband talking about working with Roz Savage MP at the Environmental Audit Committee can be found here.