MP Supports Call In Request of ‘Nationally Significant’, Solar Farm Planning Decision

Published on: 20 Nov, 2024
Updated on: 20 Nov, 2024

View from Little Misley, one of the fields set to have solar panels. Photo GBC

By Emily Dalton

local democracy reporter

UPDATED with new comments – see below.

Plans for a Surrey solar farm have been questioned as MP Jeremy Hunt has called for the government to look again at the “nationally significant” decision. Mr Hunt, MP for Godalming and Ash, has supported the request of Compton Parish Council to call in the application.

The University of Surrey was granted permission to build solar panels on a 43-hectare site west of Blackwell Farm, Hog’s Back, near Guildford, on November 6. In partnership with SEE Energy, the solar farm is said to provide 34 per cent of the University’s current electricity needs. On its own, the facility will increase total renewable energy generation in Surrey by 13 per cent.

See: University Will Get Its Solar Farm Despite Widespread Objections

Mr Hunt, whose constituency covers the southern and western part of the site, has written to the Minister of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Angela Rayner, to express his concern on the facility’s impact on the countryside. The southern parts of the site are assessed as meeting National Landscape criteria and recommended for inclusion within the revised part of the Surrey Hills boundary.

In his letter to Mrs Rayner, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Hunt said he was worried the development “may set a precedent for emerging policy relating to National Landscape land”. He wrote: “Rather than selecting brownfield, this site selected is high value farmland in a geographically significant and nationally important landscape.”

He added: “Given the national importance of this decision, I support the view of Compton Parish Council and CPRE that the application should be called in and determined by a Planning Inspector.”

Second page of Jeremy Hunt’s letter in support of call in of Solar Farm Decision

The Surrey Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) charity also wrote to the deputy PM in November, arguing that the decision for the solar farm on green belt land should be overturned. John Goodridge, Surrey CPRE chair, raised concerns on the impact of “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”.

The Secretary of State decides whether to review a planning decision based on government policies after a request to call in has been made. If approved, the Planning Inspectorate will hold a public inquiry into the proposal and produce a recommendation.

A spokesperson for the University of Surrey said: “We are proud to play our part in reducing emissions – not just through this facility, but also through adding solar to the large roof on the Surrey Sports Park, progressing feasibility studies to maximise other on-campus generation – for example on our car parks – and a comprehensive energy efficiency programme.

“We hope others will follow our lead, as there is no time to waste in increasing renewable generation to reduce emissions and increase Surrey and UK energy security. This project is firmly in line with local and national planning policy priorities, and we look forward to bringing it on stream in the near future.”

Cllr Pat Oven

Cllr Pat Oven, the leader of the three-member Guildford Greenbelt Group at GBC, told the Dragon today: “As leader of Guildford Greenbelt Group, I welcome the intervention of Jeremy Hunt MP in relation to the recent grant of planning permission for the Solar Farm off the Hog’s Back. Given the new Government’s avowed policy on planning matters, however, I suspect it is an application made more in hope than expectation.

“I note that, unsurprisingly, there has been no similar indication from Lib Dem Zoe Franklin, MP for Guildford, despite her commitment to rural matters in her election manifesto.

“Given that the university has indicated its clear commitment to green energy, I trust that, in line with its presentation to councillors in the spring, we will shortly see an application to roof its extensive car parks and put solar panels on top. A brownfield, dual purpose site producing clean energy – now that really would be green, not merely greenwashing.”

Zoe Franklin MP in the House of Commons

Subsequently Guildford’s MP told the LDRS that she defended the solar farm plans and she support’s the university’s aims through the investment.

Ms Franklin said she “recognise[s] that solar farms can be contentious “important part of providing renewable energy for a sustainable, low-carbon future”. Mrs Franklin said: “This solar farm proposal is a move towards clean, affordable, local energy production and supports our local grid capacity in Guildford and our villages.”

“She expressed her confidence in Guildford Borough Council’s Planning Committee having made the decision in line with planning regulations. But, the Guildford MP added she would also like to see the university include solar installations of their existing buildings and car parks.”

Guildford Borough Council, Compton Parish Council and the CPRE have also been contacted for comment.