A bid to build a giant solar farm surrounding three sides of Long Sutton will be decided by Hart District Council’s development management committee on March 19.
The application by Fleet Solar Ltd is to install a 47.9 megawatt capacity ground-mounted solar photovoltaic farm on land at White Hill for a period of 40 years.
It was brought to committee by the council’s executive director for place because of the “significant” number of objections received.
The site comprises 259 acres of agricultural land east and west of Long Lane, south of Hayley Lane and south of Ford Lane, of which 136 acres would be covered in solar panels.
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Electricity generated would be exported to the National Grid. The farm would be capable of powering 18,600 homes and preventing 29,000 tons of carbon dioxide entering the atmosphere each year by producing electricity without burning fossil fuels.
The three areas where the panels would go are close to the Long Sutton and South Warnborough conservation areas and several listed buildings. Also nearby are Greywell Fen, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and areas of woodland and ancient woodland designated as Sites of Important Nature Conservation.
A Long Sutton Solar Farm Action Group has been formed in a bid to have the proposal rejected.
Long Sutton resident Richard Lea said: “The Long Sutton Solar Farm application is hugely opposed in the village as it will encircle us and ruin the local rural landscape and enclose popular footpaths within chain-link fencing and an industrialised landscape.”
The Hart District Council planning application reference number is 23/02591/FUL. Officers have recommended that permission be granted subject to conditions. The meeting will be held at the council offices in Harlington Way, Fleet, at 7pm.