MP calls on planners to stop 'highly controversial' solar farm project in West Sussex village; campaign backed by rock legend Mike Rutherford
An MP has presented a petition in Parliament this week, amid plans to build a large solar farm in the Chichester district.
Earlier this year, Renewable Connections Developments lodged a planning application to build the solar farm on 61 acres of farmland east of the B2133 at Wisborough Green.
But some local residents submitted objections and launched a protest petition. They claim the solar farm would be on an 'industrial scale' and altogether would impact land between Wisborough Green and nearby Loxwood. They also fear it would threaten wildlife, cause noise pollution and increase traffic.
Arundel and South Downs Conservative MP Andrew Griffith has called on the ruling Liberal Democrat group on Chichester District Council to ‘make a stand’ and stop the ‘highly controversial’ solar farm project.
‘On behalf of residents’, the MP presented a petition in Parliament on Tuesday (December 2) – ‘calling upon the scheme to be refused’. He fears ‘no greenfield in rural Sussex is safe’.
Mr Griffith said: “Wisborough Green and Loxwood, the most inappropriate place for a giant solar farm.
“That’s why yesterday I presented a petition in the House of Commons against it on behalf of the hundreds of residents who agree this is a ridiculous proposal."
The MP claimed that Chichester’s ruling Liberal Democrat group have been giving solar farm developers the ‘come on’ with their policies on climate action and have ‘so far failed to take a clear stand with the result that no green area is safe’.
He added: “This rural location is no place for industrial scale solar which would be better off on supermarket roofs, public buildings and other brownfield sites.
"As a means of energy, it is expensive and relies on taxpayer subsidies as well as not being especially sustainable."
When Mr Griffith’s comments were put to Chichester District Council by Sussex World, the local authority issued the following response: “At this stage, we are unable to provide any comment because the planning decision has not yet been made.
"It is important that we respect the formal decision-making process to ensure transparency and accuracy. Providing comment before the decision is confirmed could lead to misinformation and compromise the integrity of the process.”
The planning application for the 20MW solar farm is due to be determined at Chichester District Council’s planning committee on Wednesday morning (December 3).
The council have received 174 objections, including from Mike Rutherford – co-founder, lead guitarist and bassist of the rock band Genesis. The parish councils of Loxwood, Kirdford, Wisborough Green and Plaistow and Ifold, which surround the site, have also objected.
The councils argue that the land near Drungewick Lane – proposed as a solar farm access route – is ‘high grade agricultural land which should not be used for development’.
In response, Jonathan Plumb, Chief Operating Officer at Renewable Connections, said: “The application for the 20MW Wisborough Solar Farm in West Sussex has been carefully developed following several years of environmental studies, assessments, and design work.
"To ensure the delivery of a well-designed solar farm, appropriate for its surroundings, we also undertook community and stakeholder engagement. The proposed application has received a positive recommendation from Chichester District Council officers and no objections from statutory consultees.”
The developer pointed towards the fact that Chichester District Council published a new Climate Emergency Action Plan this year.
Mr Plumb added: “We believe Wisborough Solar Farm could support the delivery of some of the important initiatives within that plan. The solar farm has the potential to provide energy for up to 6,300 homes every year and displace approximately 139,000 tonnes of CO2 over its lifetime.”