A clean energy company is claiming that the New Forest National Park Authority is being “hypocritical” by saying it’s committed to tackling climate change on one hand while looking to refuse plans for a solar farm on the other.
By the autumn of 2023 more than 300 councils and organisations had declared a climate emergency with local authorities scrambling to develop plans and strategies, stressing the urgency in tackling this quickly escalating problem.
The New Forest National Park Authority was among them, declaring a ‘Climate and Nature emergency- Net Zero with Nature’, stating the organisation’s belief in urgent action, but in doing so it has shied away from one of the four approaches others have taken, and has chosen a distinctly less than positive planning strategy.
Since that declaration, this urgent action has dwindled to a snail’s pace, with few examples to be found to demonstrate the organisation’s appetite for change and investment in tackling this climate emergency.
It can be most profoundly felt in the New Forest National Park’s attitudes to renewable projects.
Reading-based Enviromena is proposing a 25-acre solar project, which will connect into an existing electricity pylon within the site boundary, on the edge of the National Park in Netley Marsh at Thornlands Farm, close to the industrial parks of Totton, but the project looks set to be refused.
If built, the proposed 6MW solar farm could produce enough clean energy to power approximately 2,000 homes. In addition, the project will also present the opportunity for the landowner to diversify and ensure that agricultural land is being used sustainably throughout all seasons.
The project has support from the residents living in the local community with Netley Marsh Parish Council indicating their full support for the project in March, expressing positive views regarding the chosen location for the site and the Biodiversity Net Gain which the project will provide. They also submitted comments to the NPA stating that “renewable energy is vital”.
Mark Harding, European Development Director of Enviromena, said: “There is now an opportunity to support real change in the forest, and a renewables project that could be of huge benefit locally.
“So far, our application has been received very negatively by the NPA and there has been little direction or willingness to help us. To be honest, the whole process has been extremely difficult, and smacks of hypocrisy given the National Park’s net zero targets.
“This is despite backing from Netley Marsh Parish Council, whose members unanimously agreed to support the application as they could see the case for clean energy located on a site very well screened from public view. This show of support from the residents in the local area demonstrates that the locals do not have any objection to living near the proposed site.”
Mark continued: “Despite an initial lack of engagement from the National Park and them looking to fast track a refusal in May, ahead of statutory timelines for an EIA development, in recent weeks we believe that we have worked with statutory consultees to address concerns and updated documents have been issued back to the NPA accordingly.
“In a given year, the carbon footprint of the residents of the New Forest National Park is estimated to be 28% higher than the UK average.[1] By looking to put in place renewable projects, like this solar farm that we’re proposing would go some way to help offset these carbon emissions.
“We’re hoping the authority will give us a fair hearing to help benefit the region’s future clean energy supply. The Enviromena management team secured consent for and constructed two projects in the New Forest National Park a decade ago (on the Cadland Estate) and we hope that a similar positive outcome can be reached for the scheme at Thornlands.
“The National Park Authority has made a commitment to become a net zero organisation by 2030[2] but without renewable projects like this, it’s hard to see how they will meet that target.”
A decision on the application will be made at next week’s New Forest National Park Authority’s planning committee meeting.
[1] https://www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/app/uploads/2022/12/New-Forest-NP-GHG-Assessment-Report-v5-FINAL-221117.pdf
[2] https://www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/app/uploads/2022/08/AM-639-23-Climate-Emergency-Net-Zero-with-Nature-Authority-paper-2023-V2-PW-edit.pdf