Plans to develop a new solar farm at Christmas Hill near South Wonston in the Winchester district have been given the green light.

Winchester Action on Climate Change (WinACC) said it was "delighted" the plans had been approved.

The Christmas Hill site is wedged into the v-intersection of main roads the site is largely hidden from surrounding viewpoints. Built into the approval of the application for the new solar farm is a wealth of measures to increase the biodiversity of nature on the site, including planting of new screening hedgerows, additional hazel scrub underplanting, adjusting security fences to allow free movement of wildlife, encouragement of chalk grassland with wildflowers and additional bird nesting provision.

-- Advertisement --

David Jones, Trustee and Chair of WinACC's Renewable Energy Action Group said: "This is excellent news for Winchester district and is hopefully the first of many solar farm approvals – our district should deliver its fair share of renewable energy as the UK transitions to a zero-carbon economy by 2050.

"Winchester residents have a far higher carbon footprint than the average UK citizen, and with high levels of solar radiation available in our district it is only right that we allocate a portion of our low grade agricultural land to hosting temporary solar farms such as this one at Christmas Hill. Plus, an increase in biodiversity makes this a win-win for us all."