In a significant incident associated with the contentious Lime Down solar development in North Wiltshire, the Hon Hugh Roche, a cousin of Princess Diana, uncovered an individual dismantling protest signs against the project. This confrontation unfolded at a site near Malmesbury and was part of Roche’s undercover efforts with the ‘Stop Lime Down’ campaign, which opposes the extensive solar infrastructure projected to span approximately 2,200 acres – an area comparable to 1,250 football pitches.

Hugh Roche, actively engaged in the movement against the proposed development, had been observing signs that were repeatedly vandalised over the past year. On June 30, last year, armed with a camera on a tripod, he positioned himself strategically to capture evidence of the ongoing destruction of protest materials. The campaign group had noted a pattern, with signs consistently damaged during specific hours on Sundays.

In a moment of determination, Roche recorded images of a cyclist removing the signs and subsequently followed the individual, later identified in media reports as Angus Craig. Following this incident, Roche notified Wiltshire Police, leading to Craig being interviewed and agreeing to a community resolution. He was mandated to pay £71.97 for the damage inflicted upon the signs and complete an online thinking skills course.

Angus Craig, a procurement director for Gridserve – a green energy firm associated with supporters of the Lime Down project – later commented on the situation, expressing surprise at the police’s involvement. “I think it’s more about trying to whip up emotional support about vague notions of the country being taken over by solar,” he stated. Craig articulated his belief that peaceful protests elsewhere in the country occasionally lead to similar actions and questioned why his action was treated as noteworthy by law enforcement.

The Wiltshire Police confirmed the investigation into the damage to the signs at Foxley Green, with Craig acknowledging his role in the vandalism. The ongoing campaign against the Lime Down project has led to tensions within the community, as signs opposing the development have reportedly been damaged and defaced with graffiti, often labelling protesters as ‘NIMBYs’ (Not In My Back Yard).

The proposed project has garnered substantial media attention, not only for its scale but also for the influential figures involved, including the Duke of Beaufort, who supports the initiative that would occupy part of his expansive Badminton estate. Supporters of the ‘Stop Lime Down’ campaign, however, assert that the project serves the interests of a small number of landowners at the expense of the wider community. A spokesperson for the group noted that only nine landowners stand to gain from the development, many of whom have not farmed the land themselves, a claim echoed by local residents expressing concerns over the divisive nature of the ongoing dispute.

A resident, who has been part of the community for more than two decades, described the situation as “horrible” and “divisive,” citing a loss of trust among neighbours due to differing opinions on the project’s implications. The local campaigners, referred to not as NIMBYs but as ‘CANBYs’ (Citizens Against Nimbyism), emphasise their dedication to looking after their local environment rather than opposing development categorically.

As the community grapples with the ramifications of the proposed solar project and associated protests, tensions are expected to linger, reflecting broader debates over renewable energy initiatives and local opposition across the UK.

Source: Noah Wire Services