Plans for large solar farm between Sopley and Bransgore

PLANS have been revealed for a giant solar farm on fields between Sopley and Bransgore, the size of about 52 football pitches and capable of generating energy for up to 14,000 homes.

Pre-application documents have been submitted to New Forest District Council showing how fields would be targeted with a combined area of 73.1 hectares.

The site, to the north of Derritt Lane would cover an area of land several times the size of Sopley village.

If a full submission is lodged and approved later, it would generate up to 49.9MW of renewable electricity for the next 40 years.

It is thought the facility could end up being the fifth largest solar farm in the country, based on output.

Comparatively a neighbouring solar farm at Hinton Admiral can generate up to 7.2MW of electricity and the nearby Waterditch Solar Farm can generate up to 18MW.

The prospective developer, Namene Service Company Ltd, has applied to NFDC for a screening opinion which will determine whether a planning application would require a full environmental impact assessment (EIA).

It revealed the site comprises four arable fields with hedgerows and trees along the boundaries.

The future development would be likely to include photovoltaic panels on a simple metal framework, various inverters and transformers, a delivery station, deer-proof fencing, a CCTV network, storage containers and access tracks.

Underground cables would connect it to the Christchurch substation via Salisbury Road.

Extra planting would be undertaken to screen homes in Arnwood Drive, Devil’s Roost Farm and New Barn House.

The document promised: “The proposed development will also provide biodiversity enhancements through hedgerow enhancement and wildflower planting on site.

“There is potential to include further biodiversity enhancements through set aside, the creation of wildlife corridors and the possible installation of bat and bird nesting boxes, bug hotels, wood piles and bee hives.”

Some farming use such as sheep grazing could be continued on the site during its 40-year operation, it said.

Around 95% of the land area could still support plant growth because the solar panels are positioned off the ground.

The report continued: “Solar farms can be easily and economically be decommissioned and removed from the site at the end of their economic life, with the aim that there would be little or no trace that the solar farm had existed following decommissioning.”

Part of the site is in a Flood Zone 3 – the highest risk area – but the report stated the solar panels will not lead to a loss of flood storage area.