Planning Application - Click - NOW CLOSED FOR COMMENTS

Farringdon Parish Council was NOT a Consultee, all we could do was comment. Below is our response.

Farringdon Parish Council Objection – EHDC-25-0716-FUL Land off Gaston Lane, Upper Farringdon (Solar PV Farm Proposal)

While we support renewable energy, Farringdon Parish Council objects to the proposed 44MW solar PV farm, 2MW battery storage, and associated infrastructure for the following reasons:

1. Excessive Height and Visual Impact

• Proposed panels reach 4m, exceeding nearby solar farms (max 3m), disrupting the rural landscape.
• The terrain and proximity to homes and public paths make screening ineffective and it will take a long time for the screening to mature to the appropriate height

• Rural character would be profoundly altered.

2. Overdevelopment and Cumulative Impact

• This site creates a cluster of four solar farms within 1.5 miles, the largest being this one at 68 hectares.

• CPRE research highlights the harm of such concentrated energy developments.

• The site's location near the South Downs National Park contradicts its purposes to conserve and promote public enjoyment.

3. Loss of Countryside Buffer

• The development threatens the natural separation between Alton and nearby settlements including Farringdon, breaching EHDC Local Plan policies and Farringdon’s own priorities.

4. Impact on Wildlife Habitat and nearby Equestrian Centre

• Panels border an active equestrian field with no buffer.

• Lack of green corridors endangers local wildlife mobility and ecosystem health.

5. Unsuitable Agricultural Use

• Site is greenfield, not brownfield, contravening government guidance.

• Long-term grazing under panels degrades soil and threatens food-producing land.

• CPRE notes that solar farms pose risks to soil fertility, biodiversity, and land productivity.

6. Breach of NPPF Section 15

• The development undermines protection of landscape, biodiversity, and soil quality, failing to recognise the countryside’s intrinsic value and wider ecological benefits.

7. Major Traffic Concerns

• Farringdon Parish Council are concerned about the amount of industrial transportation that is needed for this development. We are especially concerned about the proposed shortened one-way system on Hall Lane and Gaston Lane and how it will affect residents. We are also exceedingly worried about the HGV’s turning out of Hall Lane on to the B3006, they will need to cross both lanes to negotiate a left turn, this is a 60mph road and potentially there could a fatal accident. We strongly urge Hampshire Highways look in depth at this application.

Conclusion
While renewable energy is supported, this proposal is excessive, poorly located, and inconsistent with local and national planning policy. We urge its refusal.

Proposed One-Way of Hall Lane and Gaston Lane Update (10th July)

Thank you again for your time yesterday.

Following our discussion and in light of your concerns, we have decided to remove the proposed one-way system from the plans.

The one-way routing will now apply only to construction vehicles during the temporary 12 month construction period. These vehicles will access the site from Selborne Road, traveling west along Barleywood Farm Lane and Gaston Lane. They will enter the site and exit via Hall Lane, heading east back towards Selborne Road. Vehicles needing to access the fields north of Gaston Lane will cross the lane and enter the main site, continuing through to Hall Lane.

For residents, there will be no restrictions. Normal two-way travel will be maintained on all roads once the bridge repairs on Gaston Lane are completed.

We have instructed our transport consultants to update the plans and supporting documentation accordingly. This revised information will then be submitted to East Hampshire District Council.

Please note that this approach remains subject to assessment and approval by the Highways team.