A COUNTRYSIDE charity has criticised plans for a new solar farm in the countryside near Winchester.
CPRE Hampshire opposes the proposal at Pitt Down south of Sarum Road, Sparsholt and Farley Mount.
The scheme has divided opinion with more than 100 objections and 65 in support.
CPRE Hampshire has said that they believe the scheme should be in a different place.
Christopher Napier, vice president of CPRE Hampshire and chair of the South Downs and Central District Group, said: “CPRE Hampshire supports the principle of renewable energy, but we also believe it should be the right proposition in the right location.
“We believe the application at Pitt will have a major adverse impact on landscape, within a landscape acknowledged to be of high quality and sensitivity, and a significant loss of visual amenity and tranquility. What we would like to see are more plans for solar energy on brownfield sites, for example, the roofs of large industrial and agricultural buildings. Where a countryside location is deemed essential, the best and most versatile agricultural land should be protected and the landscape fully considered. With more and more solar farm applications across the county, we need to be aware of the cumulative effect. We want maximum output with minimal impact. And we believe that is possible.”
READ MORE: Hampshire countryside solar farm plans get more than 100 objections
Developers Novus and Innova estimate that the solar farm would save 4,054 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year and power around 4,722 homes annually. It would operate for 40 years.
Samantha Culhane, of Sarum Road, said: “Solar farms have a part to play in renewable energy and we agree that we should be embracing green technologies in the production of energy. However, the site for this solar farm is in too prominent a position, on an undulating hill and has a significant detrimental visual impact on the outstandingly beautiful countryside around it.
“The landscaping to mitigate the effect of the development is unacceptable as it would not have any real effect for 8-10 years, which is at least a quarter of the life of the proposed solar farm.”
Jonathan Drotskie, of Main Road in Hursley, said: “I am in full support of this project. We need renewable energy and we need it now and this is as good a location as anywhere in the parish.”
For more details about the scheme, search 23/01025/FUL on Winchester City Council's online planning portal.
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