Local councillors and residents lodged objections to the Walkford Farm project. Image: Pexels/Tom Fisk

The 15MW Walkford Moor Solar Farm project near Walkford Farm in the New Forest has been granted approval by the district council’s planning committee. The £8.5 million project, which covers a 29.32-hectare (72.45-acre) site on the border of Bransgore and New Milton drew strong opposition from Bransgore Parish Council and local representatives, who argued that the development would have a negative impact on the area’s landscape and agricultural potential.

The project is in development by renewable energy, real estate and investment business Boultbee Brooks, with real estate company Savills acting as agent.

Local residents submitted letters of objection, citing concerns such as the impact on house prices in the area, loss of ryside access, noise disturbance and perceived health risks.

However, the planning committee’s decision was unanimous, with members supporting the project for its potential to contribute to the region’s green energy targets. The solar farm will be operational for 40 years, after which the land will be restored to agricultural use. According to the planning document, the site will also feature four power stations and a substation, with a specific area left undeveloped due to previous archaeological findings.

Balancing renewables and local concerns

The project faced significant opposition, particularly from Bransgore Parish Council and BCP Council member Andy Martin, who represents the Highcliffe and Walkford ward. Martin described the solar farm as “visually intrusive” and expressed concerns about over-development in the area. He argued that the project was not suitable for the site, citing the long-term visual impact and potential challenges in reverting the land to agricultural use.

Planning consent noted that “…whilst the proposal would clearly have some impact on the visual amenities of the area, this impact would not be a forever change, albeit that it would be for a lengthy temporary period (40 years) and would be fully reversible.”

In addition, the planning case officer emphasised that the solar farm had been designed to minimise its impact on high-quality agricultural land. The officer also noted that the project would offer a “significant uplift in biodiversity” across the site, thanks to carefully planned landscaping and low-intensity agricultural use.

Nick Barber, the development manager for the project, highlighted the solar farm’s environmental benefits, stating that it would reduce carbon emissions equivalent to taking approximately 2,140 petrol cars off the road each year. Additionally, the solar farm is expected to create 70 temporary jobs during construction and five permanent jobs, contributing £2.3 million in business rates over its 40-year lifespan.

In biodiversity terms, Barber said the project will create 64 acres of species-rich pasture, 1,226 metres of new native hedgerows and long-term protection of skylark habitat, leading to a projected “232 per cent biodiversity net gain for habitats and a 254 per cent net gain in hedgerow units across the site secured by the planning permission”.

Green energy in the UK

Councillor Malcolm Wade, who proposed the approval, noted, “We have to accept the reality that to deal with climate change, green energy is the future.”

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