A DEVELOPER has announced significant revisions to the design of its proposed solar farm following a public consultation and objections from a residents' group.

Energy company Anglo Renewables first revealed its plans to build a solar farm on agricultural land at Strattons Farm, just off the A339, in May 2023.

Later a campaign group, Village Solar Farm (VSF), emerged in opposition to the plans to construct the solar farm on fields northwest of Kingsclere.

Initially formed to share information about the development, VSF has evolved into a community group representing residents from Kingsclere, Ecchinswell, Ashford Hill, and Headley who are opposed to the project, primarily due to fears that valuable agricultural land would be sacrificed.

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Following a public consultation process, Anglo Renewables has now announced substantial changes to the scheme design.

This includes a reduction in the solar farm's size by approximately 16.5 acres, representing a 19 per cent decrease.

Panels in the southern and western portions of the proposed scheme have been removed, addressing concerns related to residential properties and Ecchinswell.

The scheme design updates retain the essential energy benefits while introducing biodiversity improvement measures.

The farm is anticipated to produce enough renewable electricity to power approximately 5,934 homes per year.

It is likely to offset over 5,000 tonnes of CO2 per annum.

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The developer said the planning application will be submitted to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council in the first half of 2024.

James Stone, managing director at Anglo Renewables said: “It is crucial to revolutionise the energy production methods in the UK now more than ever. Our proposed solar farm aligns with the Basingstoke and Deane council's acknowledgment of a climate emergency and the establishment of national climate change goals mandated by law.

"We have carefully considered the input from the local community and have recently modified the project design, which includes the elimination of portions of the planned solar farm.”