PROPOSALS for a major solar farm in the Meon Valley are set to be decided by city council planners.
Developer Intelligent Alternatives applied for the 18MW solar farm at Locks Farm, Botley Road, near Bishop's Waltham.
It is estimated that the farm will provide renewable energy to power 5,500 homes for one year with an estimated 53,333 panels.
The scheme will be decided by Winchester City Council's planning committee on March 15.
Bishop's Waltham Parish Council originally objected to the proposal, but after the developer's consultation, they decided to support it.
The environment campaign group Winchester Action on Climate Change (WinACC) also support the solar farm as well as 45 letters from members of the public.
Bill Gunyon, of WinACC's renewable energy action group, said: “We hear different solutions to the energy crisis every day. The one consistent element is the need for an immediate and exponential increase in solar power. In particular, the new British Energy Security Strategy envisages that the contribution of solar must increase fivefold by 2035.”
Bishop's Waltham Museum, Bishop's Waltham Society, CPRE Hampshire, Solar Campaign Alliance and Shedfield Parish Council object to it.
A total of 67 public objects were also received.
READ MORE: Bishop's Waltham Parish Council's u-turn on Locks Farm solar farm plans
Tony Kippenberger, chairman of Bishop's Waltham Society, said: “It is the right idea in a totally wrong place. Despite WCC's deceleration of a climate emergency, how and where this should be tacked remain important questions. There is a housing shortage, but that doesn't mean that houses should be built without due regard for location and consequence. The same applies to locating renewable energy resources.”
Landowner of Locks Farm Richard Leigh explained why the solar farm was needed. He said: "We gave up the dairy part of our farming business that has been in our family for three successive generations, this was an extremely tough decision. However, perhaps more than any other business, farming has been subjected to the very real effects of climate change. We therefore decided that in order to keep the land as healthy farmland for future generations, and to continue to farm as a viable business, allowing solar on part of the farm would enable us to carry this out.
"If this solar farm is approved, and constructed, we very much want to engage local schools and educational institutions to show how solar renewable energy can work for good in our local area in this ever changing and demanding industry."
The plans will be decided on March 15. It has been recommended for approval.
To view details and comments on the application online, search 21/01391/FUL on Winchester City Council's planning portal.
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