5-hectare solar farm at M4 interchange proposed in new plans

Biffa Waste Services wants to build the 6.5-hectare solar farm - the size of nine football pitches - on a former landfill site at Studley Grange.

The applicant says alternative land uses are "limited" due to the site's former use for landfill since the 1990s.

The restored land now features modified grassland, wildflower strips, woodland areas, ponds, and low-grade agricultural grazing land, designed to increase biodiversity and create ecological corridors.

The land lies south of the proposed new site of the Swindon speedway stadium.

The solar farm would have the capacity to generate 2.2MW of electricity - enough to power between 600 and 800 homes.

In its application for planning permission to Wiltshire Council, Biffa says: "The proposed development aims to deliver a sustainable energy supply through the

installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on land formerly used for waste management activities.

"It seeks to establish a renewable energy source on a restored, under-utilised site that benefits from an existing electricity grid connection with sufficient capacity to accommodate the solar farm as landfill gas-generated electricity output reduces."

Full access to all of our articles online and on the app, fewer adverts, a better reading experience, exclusive competitions and more - all for less than the price of a cup of coffee. ☕️
Subscribe now! - https://t.co/WMk7dnx2V0 pic.twitter.com/tZ5fiHf9VF

— Swindon Advertiser (@swindonadver) April 13, 2026

The applicant says that during the eight-week construction phase, an estimated 100 HGV movements - four a day, five days a week - would be expected to and from the site. HGVs would access the site south from the M4 on the B4005.

A decision from Wiltshire Council is expected by the end of July.

For the latest public notices and planning applications in your area, visit www.publicnoticeportal.uk