“OPPOSITION is mounting to a proposal to create what is believed to be the country’s largest photovoltaic solar farm in a protected landscape area. Natural England and English Heritage are both throwing their hats into the ring, as Swindon Council closes its seven-week consultation on the proposal for 50,000 ground mounted PV arrays at the former [Royal Air Force base] at Wroughton. The site will produce 41 MW of electricity on 200 acres – an area larger than the village of Chiseldon, or the size of more than 100 football pitches.”
More here – thisiswiltshire.co.uk/news/10662036.Fears_solar_farm_will_ruin_beauty_of_area/
What does a solar farm look like, compared to - say - a windfarm? As ever, the usual problem arises that the people of Swindon need/want electricity. The airfield at Wroughton isn't exactly a thing of beauty, no matter that it is visible from Barbury.
Our energy consumption continues to increase exponentially but collectively we do not seem willing to make any sacrifice for the future at all. Barbury Castle is one of my favourite places, I like to think I will not be offended by the sight of a solar energy park on the disused site of Wroughton Airfield - a good use for it I should think. The M4, although not visible from Barbury is only a stone's throw away ... that does cause me a certain amount of distress.
Some of JG Ballard's stuff describes imagined future solar farm fields. I can't remember the book (or short stories), but the pictures conjured by his writing remain vivid.