Villagers in Hampshire are battling plans to build an 86-acre solar farm near the landscape that inspired Richard Adams' novel Watership Down. Energy company Anglo Renewables has proposed the development on agricultural land at Strattons Farm, sparking outrage among local residents.
The campaign group Village Solar Farm (VSF) has been formed by people living in Ashford Hill, Headley, Kingsclere and Sydmonton to oppose the scheme. VSF member Camilla Trusted said: 'Ultimately, it’s about the fact we need our fields for food. We don’t need some out-of-town developer to come in and make money out of exploiting our beautiful countryside.'
Campaigners argue that while renewable energy is important, the proposed site is inappropriate and would cause 'irreversible damage' to the area's historical landscape and heritage. A petition against the development has garnered over 400 signatures since June. VSF also described the developer's offer of a £25,000 community benefit fund as 'pitiful' and warned that the solar farm would affect property prices and impact ancient woodland, wildlife and noise levels.
Anglo Renewables said the solar farm would produce enough clean electricity to power about 6,252 homes per year and offset approximately 5,084 tonnes of CO2 annually. The company added that the site would include biodiversity measures such as new hedgerow planting, and that sheep could graze underneath the panels, offering dual use of the land. The firm also noted that the project would generate millions of pounds in business rates for Basingstoke and Deane District Council.
Despite assurances that the solar farm would be temporary and operational for up to 40 years, Ms Trusted expressed scepticism, citing the high cost of removing infrastructure. Basingstoke and Deane District Council’s planning committee is due to decide on the application later this month.
