Plans for £8.5m solar farm in New Forest approved despite concerns

The Walkford Moor Solar Farm, which is set to produce enough energy to power 5,000 homes a year, was unanimously approved by New Forest District Council planning chiefs. 

According to the planning document, the site will also feature four power stations and a substation, with a specific area left undeveloped due to previous archaeological findings. 

The £8.5 million project, which covers 29.32ha of land on the border of Bransgore and New Milton, drew strong opposition from Bransgore Parish Council and local representatives. 

Locals argued that the development would have a negative impact on the area’s landscape and agricultural potential. 

However, the planning committee unanimously made a decision to support the project for its potential to contribute to the region’s green energy targets.  

Harmful for rural landscape 

In a letter to the council, Christchurch independent councillor Andy Martin expressed his concerns that the solar farm would represent “inappropriate development” and would be “harmful” to the character of the rural landscape. 

He said: “I believe the planning balance is wrong, and this is not a suitable site for such a large and intrusive development. I also have concerns over nature conservation and biodiversity on this site.” 

Development manager for the project Nick Barber told the committee the clean energy from the solar farm will result in a reduction in carbon emissions equivalent to taking around 2,140 petrol cars off the road for 40 years. 

He also confirmed that changes were made to address concerns raised, including removing a large area of panels from the west and north of the site to mitigate views from the public footpath and woodland burial ground. 

The solar farm is set to be operational for 40 years, after which the land will be restored to agricultural use.  

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