The next phase of public consultation on the gigantic Lime Down solar project has begun. This controversial scheme would cover much of the countryside between Malmesbury, Sherston and By Brook. Nine local meetings have been organised by the Stop Lime Down group to inform residents and encourage participation in the planning process.

I attended one of these events on Monday evening in Malmesbury. The depth of public concern was unmistakable. Like me, residents generally support renewable energy, but they want solutions that balance environmental, social and economic needs.

I oppose Lime Down because of its sheer scale. It would remove productive farmland and permanently alter a cherished landscape. Construction alone would bring years of disruption to nearby villages and roads, yet the project offers no meaningful benefit for local households, either in reduced bills or community investment.

I am pleased that Wiltshire Council, now under Liberal Democrat leadership, has made its position clear. The new Cabinet voted unanimously against the scheme, a stance then strongly endorsed by Full Council following a motion from local Liberal Democrat Councillors Jon Atkey and Martin Smith. Their communities would live with the consequences every day. Tellingly, the company behind Lime Down declined to attend either of the meetings at which these decisions were discussed. That absence speaks volumes about their regard for local views.

However, the final decision lies not with Wiltshire Council, but with a Government Minister in Westminster. Ministers have already ignored independent recommendations to reject similar developments. Too many major decisions affecting local people are made behind closed doors, with minimal transparency or accountability.

Recent revelations from the COVID Inquiry showed how private companies with political access made millions from unsuitable contracts, far from the standards set by the Nolan Principles of Public Life. We cannot allow another situation where local communities are treated as an afterthought and private interests come first.

I am fully committed to tackling climate change and supporting our transition to clean energy. But it must be done in a way that protects our landscape and respects local voices. That means prioritising solar panels on rooves of homes, businesses, warehouses, car parks and public buildings, such as the excellent new installation at Lea and Garsdon Primary School. It also means supporting smaller, community-led solar projects on lower-grade land, where benefits are shared locally through reduced bills and investment in community facilities.

That is real sustainability: clean energy that strengthens communities, protects our countryside, and puts transparency and the public interest first.

Cover Picture Credit to Sam Williams on Unsplash.com

 
A few of the things I've done this week...

✅ Marked at Remembrance Day in Cricklade, taking part in the procession and attending ceremonies of remembrance in St Sampson’s Church and at Blakehill Cairns. Great to see so many people turn out for the parade

(Photo taken by Cricklade Town Council)

✅ Attended a Stop Lime Down event in Malmesbury – standing room only – which informed local residents on how to make their voices heard in the planning process

✅ Placed a wreath on board the GWR “Poppies to Paddington” Train at Kemble

✅ Met headteachers and trust leaders in Cirencester to talk about the crisis in SEND provision

✅Met PC Kyle Lloyd, neighbourhood police officer in Malmesbury, and dropped in at the book fair in the Abbey to meet local authors

✅ Visited Malmesbury Primary School to hear more about the new STEAM wing (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) being financed by the Dyson Foundation, and to discuss how neighbouring primary schools can benefit

✅ Went to an event at Stroud Book Festival to hear Mike Berners-Lee talk about his latest book, A Climate of Truth, about honesty in politics. Sounds like a good idea!

✅ Met with local councillors from Gloucestershire County Council and Cotswold District Council to discuss what we’re going to do to fight the closure of the day surgical centre at Cirencester Hospital

✅ Visited Oaksey Primary School to talk about my work as an MP and my ocean rowing campaigns. Also took the opportunity while in Oaksey to pop by the church to admire the fantastic display of poppies and World War One memorabilia (and the Sheela na Gig!), and dropped in at the community shop and the golf club – great to see such thriving community spirit

✅ Met with Dr Gill Orrow to talk more about her Growing Health Together initiative in Surrey – one of the inspirations for Stronger South Cotswolds and community-based health creation

✅ In Westminster, I asked a question about pollution in Daniel’s Well in Malmesbury, made a speech about how best to deliver on the Carbon Budget Delivery Plan while heeding the views of communities, and challenged the Minister for Nature on the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which threatens to rip up environmental protections in favour of unbounded housing developments

✅ Participated in an Environmental Audit Committee evidence session into delivery on the 7th Carbon Budget, asking questions of academics and campaigners

✅ Attended the graduation dinner to conclude the NFU Fellowship for MPs – it’s been an educational and enlightening year, and a great chance to hear from farmers up and down the country to get a sense of the state of farming beyond the South Cotswolds

(Photo with Tom Bradshaw, NFU President)

✅ Met with Will from Vertical to get an update on the exciting work they’re doing, based at Cotswold Airport, that could have a huge impact on the future of aviation

✅Met students from Cirencester College in Parliament, talking to them about the work that I'm doing for Cirencester and the South Cotswolds, took questions from them and heard their proposed Bills for the country

Noticeboard 

Parent of a child with SEND in Gloucestershire? Please fill out this survey for Gloucestershire County Council

Stay warm this winter and apply for the Warm Homes Local Grant to apply for energy saving home improvements

If you live in Gloucestershire and are aged 14-25, you may be eligible for a Free Travel Bursary. Apply here

 
Sherston Surgery Petition
 
A petition to save the surgical unit at Cirencester Hospital will be coming soon – meanwhile, we’re still fighting to ensure that Sherston continues to have a surgery. Local residents depend on it for essential healthcare, and losing it would be a serious blow to the community. The Government must step in to secure the future of Sherston Surgery and ensure continued access to NHS services for the people of Sherston and surrounding areas.

Sign our petition!
 
Quote of the Week
"When everyone is included, everyone wins.”

-- Jesse Jackson

Have a great week!! 

Roz Savage MP