Though aware of the need to find alternative sources of energy, I would question both the economics and the likely climate benefits of the solar scheme being undertaken at Castle Combe Circuit.

When consent was given for this scheme we, the public who live and work in the area, were not made aware of the problems it would create.

The road from Castle Combe Circuit through to Cocklebury Road in Chippenham is being dug up together with the decimation of the verges.

Some of these roads have only recently been resurfaced after years of potholes and temporary repairs. Much of the road through Yatton Keynell and Chippenham has still to be completed.

The queues that form at temporary traffic lights are sometimes so long in length, and time spent waiting, that people turn round to go another way if possible.

When all this road work is completed we shall then have hundreds of lorry movements along the A420 and B4039 to deliver the solar panels, which have probably been imported from China.

The pollution caused already by hundreds of cars ticking over at traffic lights, coupled with the fossil fuel usage by diggers, Tarmac production required, lorry movements and the probable importation of cheaper panels from China leads me to think that any benefit to our climate has been negated for years to come.

The feed-in tariff is being reduced in April and this subsidy to the solar companies, paid for by us the electricity user, is the only way that makes these schemes viable.

The sweeteners paid to the villages concerned are actually being paid for by us, the villagers.

I am not against solar farms per se, they are far better than massive wind farms.

But I would suggest that before consents are given for schemes such as this, more thought should be given to the side effects, and if they outweigh the benefits, then the application should be put where “the sun don’t shine!”

Robert Foxwell, Lanhill.