CAMPAIGNERS against plans for an “industrial-sized” solar farm in Bramley are celebrating after councillors voted to reject the application on Wednesday evening (April 19).

Protestors gathered outside Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council offices as members of the development control committee arrived to discuss the plans.

As previously reported, the plans put forward were for a solar farm the size of more than 100 football pitches at Bramley Firth.

It was recommended for approval by council officers, as it would reportedly provide power to 17,000 homes and save 8,000 cars worth of carbon dioxide.

READ MORE: Villagers protest against solar farm the size of more than 100 football pitches proposed for Bramley

At the meeting, concerns were raised over the scale of the proposal, as well as its impact on the local environment, resulting loss of agricultural land, and risk to Roman archaeology.

Cllr Chris Tomblin (BDI, Bramley) said: "It's commercial first and foremost. I have personally invested in solar panels - it's technology that we must embrace. But it should be part of a portfolio of methods."

Cllr Paul Harvey (BDI, Norden) added: “"This is the most controversial application I have seen in a long long time. There is no indication in any way, shape or form that this will benefit the people. I believe it would do harm."

Meanwhile, Cllr Angie Freeman (Labour, Winklebury & Manydown) cited "serious concerns about impact on wildlife" and "lack of balance achieved".

However, Cllr Ron Hussey (Lib Dem, Eastrop & Grove) disagreed with his fellow committee members, urging them to take seriously the environmental gains.

“Three years after we declared a climate emergency, we are still sitting on our backsides. What have we actually achieved?” he said

“Tonight all I have heard is somewhere else. We are failing this evening, and I am ashamed to be a member of this committee."

A motion to reject the recommendation was put forward by Cllr Tomblin and seconded by Cllr Harvey. It passed by 11 votes to one.

READ MORE: Recap: Councillors REFUSE controversial plans for solar farm at Bramley

Reacting to the decision after the meeting, a spokesperson for the Solar Farm Residents’ Group said: “We are very pleased that common sense prevailed in this case. There was a robust and fair debate among the councillors in their process to reject the industrial-sized solar park.

“We support solar, but not at this scale, nor on good quality greenfield sites. It was clear from the outset that the scale of this proposal, the detrimental impact it would have on the local landscape, the loss of good agricultural land and loss of archaeology made it doomed to fail.

“The resolve of the residents of Silchester and Bramley should not be underestimated. We remain entirely committed to protect the landscape around us and will continue to do so to ensure the heritage of this area remains intact.”

Simon Wheeler, head of development at applicant Enso Energy, said: “It is very disappointing that our application for a solar farm, recommended for approval by Council officers, was refused planning consent.

“It will come as a disappointment to those that understand the pressing need for us to change the way that we get our energy. This scheme would have provided enough renewable energy to power over 13,500 homes and significantly improved local biodiversity.

“We remain convinced of the benefits this proposal would provide to the people of Basingstoke & Deane and the country.”

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