Massive solar panel farm approved for farmland near Waterlooville
It could power up to 12,000 homes a year for the next 40 years
Last updated 18th Oct 2024
Nearly 92,000 solar panels are set to be installed near Waterlooville, converting farmland into a solar farm to power more than 12,000 homes.
In a “difficult” decision day, Winchester City Council has given the go-ahead for the Enso Energy application to convert land at Denmead Farm, Edneys Lane, Waterlooville, into a solar farm.
In 2022, Enso Energy submitted the application to convert the agricultural land into a solar farm. The farm will see 91,480 solar panels installed, which developers said will generate renewable energy for the equivalent of more than 12,300 average English homes a year during the next 40 years.
However, the application attracted mixed opinions from residents and parish councils during the two-year process.
Denmead Parish Council objected for multiple reasons, including the loss of agricultural land, the impact on nature and possible noise pollution.
At the decision-making meeting this week, Councillor Kevin Andreoli from the parish council said that many of the supporters were not from the “immediate” area and “certainly” are not dependent on the aquifer below the site from which Portsmouth Water draws the drinking water from the area.
“The solar panels to be used on the site are not compliant with the restrictions of the hazardous substances directive. So, we have no idea what dangerous chemicals may be released and contaminate the aquifer if the panel breaks.”
He said that the plan would not benefit the community because it would result in a loss of open countryside.
On behalf of Enso Energy, Owen Horrell said that the development will deliver biodiversity, increasing ecological habitats by 53 per cent and hedgerows by 56 per cent.
Mr Horrell said: “It is essential that projects like this are permitted now.”
After 40 years of use, the land, owned by Winchester College, will be decommissioned and returned to agricultural use.
The council established two conditions to address noise concerns. The first one stated that before any panel is installed, the council will check the manufacturer’s specifications to ensure that the panels comply with the application’s conditions.
Also, a study will be conducted within the first three months to confirm noise levels.
Cllr Suzanne White said that despite a “substantial” change in the landscape permanently, the “significant” amount of energy that can be produced, the gain from nature due to the increase of biodiversity, and government policies to move towards renewable energy make her support the plan.
Cllr Brian Laming said that the decision was one of the most difficult the planning committee had to make due to the loss of “well-fertilised” land over the year, which will take a long time to come back to its natural state.
Cllr Patrick Cunningham said that the application is in “clear” conflict with three policies regulating the development in the countryside.
He added that the landscape is already “severely” affected by the 22 National Grid pylons, which “dominate” the skyline with a height of 36 metres.
Councillor Rachel Aron expressed her “sympathy” for those living in the area for the next five years due to the disruption of the building.
She said: “I totally get that the next few years will be very difficult for people who live and work in the area. But I think our officers and the applicant have gone to extreme lengths and really have been very responsible for further conditions.
“We’ve got to think for a long time because of the climate emergency.”
The planning statement states that the construction of the proposal would take place over approximately seven months.
The application was granted by the planning committee on October 17th.