Wiltshire Council has formally authorized the construction of a 40-acre solar farm on the Savernake Estate, settling a dispute that pitted hedge fund manager Chris Rokos against local heritage advocates. The decision allows work to proceed on the northern boundary of the 4,500-acre property, a site currently used for dairy cattle and silage production. This move clears a major planning hurdle for Rokos, who has been leading an extensive renovation of the Grade I-listed Tottenham House in Marlborough. The council's approval specifically discharges conditions related to construction and environmental management, signaling green light for the array's installation.
The project faces stiff resistance. Local resident Richard Frics, while supporting the mansion's restoration, slammed the solar installation as a threat to the area's "special qualities." Frics noted that the panels would occupy more than one hectare within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, situated near a Grade II* listed stable block. He warned that glare from the panels could alter the outlook of the Capability Brown landscape and set a dangerous precedent for future developments in the protected zone. Another neighbor, Mark Colquhoun, called the solar farm a "substantial visual and historical intrusion," even as he praised the broader restoration work.
The energy output is substantial. The ground-mounted panels are projected to generate 794,600 kilowatt hours of electricity annually. Roughly 44% of this power will stay on-site to support the estate's operations, with the surplus exported to the local grid. To mitigate visual impact, the design includes screening by existing woodland and new planting. The panels will be installed on screw piles rather than concrete foundations, a choice that allows for potential future removal without leaving permanent scars on the earth.
Tottenham House, once on the Heritage at Risk register, is undergoing a major transformation. Rokos acquired the estate in 2014 for £11.25 million, ending two centuries of ownership by the Brudenell-Bruce family. The solar farm is part of a larger package that includes a water storage lagoon and new mains connections. While the solar array is clear to build, other elements of the wider development still await final environmental approvals. The estate's future hinges on balancing its historic status with modern sustainability needs.