CPRE Backs Parish Council’s Request for Secretary of State to ‘Call-in’ Solar Farm Decision

Published on: 10 Nov, 2024
Updated on: 10 Nov, 2024

A solar farm. Photo Geograph

By Martin Giles

The Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) has backed up a request from Compton Parish Council for the decision to approve the planning application for a solar farm on the slopes of the Hog’s Back to be “called-in” for reconsideration.

The parish council requested that the controversial proposal for a 43-hectare solar farm on land to the west of the University of Surrey be called in by the Secretary of State for Housing and Local Government eight days before GBC made its decision to approve. The Secretary of State has the power to overturn decisions taken by local authorities.

The solar farm with 22,410 solar panels is to be constructed on land designated green belt and, partly, an Area of Great Landscape Value (AGLV). It is also in an area which has been assessed as suitable, and submitted, for National Landscape (formerly AONB) designation.

Thirteen local organisations in addition to Compton PC and CPRE who both spoke at the Planning Committee meeting objected to the proposal as well as about 100 objectors listed on the GBC planning portal.

Only three groups were in favour, two of them associated with the university.

See: University Will Get Its Solar Farm Despite Widespread Objections

Angela Rayner, Secretary of State for Housing and Local Government

In its letter to Angela Rayner dated October 29, seen by the Guildford Dragon NEWS, the parish council wrote: “Compton Parish Council is deeply concerned about the potential impact of this development on our community and the environment. We believe this proposal has several conflicts with both National and Local Policies and the specific issues that warrant a call-in and your consideration…”

It then lists 10 headings including: Impact on Grade 2 & 3 Agricultural Land; Brownfield First Policy; Green Belt Policy; and National Landscape policy (including Surrey Hills policy).

Justifying their call-in request they say: “Given these substantial concerns, we believe it is imperative that this application be reviewed by the central government. A call-in would ensure a comprehensive independent evaluation of the potential impacts and alignment with national policies on renewable energy and environmental protection.”

Secretary of State’s call-in powers according to Gov.UK

In its letter, sent after GBC’s decision to approve, taken on November 6, CPRE Surrey echoes Compton Parish Council’s request for the Secretary of State to exercise her powers of call-in.

John Goodridge, chair of CPRE Surrey, writes: “[We have] objected to the proposal for a Solar Facility on Land West of Blackwell Farm, and we now wish to put on record our endorsement of Compton Parish Council’s letter to you in which they highlighted their concerns about the Solar Facility proposal, including the development’s impact on Grade 2 & 3a (Best and Most Versatile) agricultural land, encroachment on the Green Belt, harm to ancient woodland, the land’s legal status as candidate for inclusion in the Surrey Hills National Landscape, and the applicant’s failure to fully explore brownfield alternatives.”