Planning Application -  The construction and operation of a 44MW solar PV farm, 2MW BESS and other associated infrastructure by QC Aymaro Limited. Land north of Fielders Farm, Hall Lane, Farringdon (This is Worldham Parish Council - NOT Farringdon).

 

Update 10/12/2025 From Energy Alton - The planning application for Caker Stream Solar Farm is still under consideration by EHDC, it is expected that a planning meeting and decision will now be made in the new year.

In the meantime, all the comments and feedback from local residents have been carefully considered and discussed between the developers and the Planning Officer. The application has been adjusted to improve the proposal, the key updates are as follows:

• To reduce visibility from nearby roads and public footpaths, the panel height has been reduced from c.4m to c.3m.
• The width of the PRoW corridor has been increased and additional landscaping has been added throughout the site.
• The photomontages from key viewpoints are in the process of being updated and will be ready to view as soon as they are ready.
• The transport and access strategy is being reconsidered with a view to agreeing an acceptable approach with Hampshire County Council Highways Department. Consideration for alternative temporary dedicated access to the site directly from the B3006 is being discussed.

The project is also dependent on the planning approval by SSEN of the new local substation in Worldham. This will be the connection point to the grid and is a key to the project proceeding to the next stage.

Energy Alton will continue to be involved in the project, representing residents views with the developers and feeding back information, and are available to discuss points further with the Parish Councils. Please let us know if you have any questions and would like to meet to discuss.

We are also working with the developer to plan how the community investment and fund will work. The investment of 10% to the project from local sources will be announced as soon as the project gains approval and a construction start date is announced. The community fund will be administered by a new, not for profit, organisation that will be set up with representation from the 3 local parishes. The fund will be based on the amount of electricity generated at an industry leading rate of £450 per MW, this is likely to see up to around £19,800 being available for projects within the 3 parishes each year for the next 35 years or life of the site.

More information can be found here https://cakerstreamsolar.co.uk/community/

In addition, the site will be liable for business rates over its life, and while it will revert to agricultural status at the end of that, it will be adding substantially to the local council funding during this period.

We will continue to give updates at significant points in the project. Please let us know if you have any questions and we will be pleased to raise them directly with the developers

 

 

Farringdon Parish Council was NOT a Consultee in the original planning application, all we could do was comment. Below is our response.

Farringdon Parish Council Objection – EHDC-25-0716-FUL Land off Gaston Lane, Upper Farringdon (Solar PV Farm Proposal)

While we support renewable energy, Farringdon Parish Council objects to the proposed 44MW solar PV farm, 2MW battery storage, and associated infrastructure for the following reasons:

1. Excessive Height and Visual Impact

• Proposed panels reach 4m, exceeding nearby solar farms (max 3m), disrupting the rural landscape.
• The terrain and proximity to homes and public paths make screening ineffective and it will take a long time for the screening to mature to the appropriate height

• Rural character would be profoundly altered.

2. Overdevelopment and Cumulative Impact

• This site creates a cluster of four solar farms within 1.5 miles, the largest being this one at 68 hectares.

• CPRE research highlights the harm of such concentrated energy developments.

• The site's location near the South Downs National Park contradicts its purposes to conserve and promote public enjoyment.

3. Loss of Countryside Buffer

• The development threatens the natural separation between Alton and nearby settlements including Farringdon, breaching EHDC Local Plan policies and Farringdon’s own priorities.

4. Impact on Wildlife Habitat and nearby Equestrian Centre

• Panels border an active equestrian field with no buffer.

• Lack of green corridors endangers local wildlife mobility and ecosystem health.

5. Unsuitable Agricultural Use

• Site is greenfield, not brownfield, contravening government guidance.

• Long-term grazing under panels degrades soil and threatens food-producing land.

• CPRE notes that solar farms pose risks to soil fertility, biodiversity, and land productivity.

6. Breach of NPPF Section 15

• The development undermines protection of landscape, biodiversity, and soil quality, failing to recognise the countryside’s intrinsic value and wider ecological benefits.

7. Major Traffic Concerns

• Farringdon Parish Council are concerned about the amount of industrial transportation that is needed for this development. We are especially concerned about the proposed shortened one-way system on Hall Lane and Gaston Lane and how it will affect residents. We are also exceedingly worried about the HGV’s turning out of Hall Lane on to the B3006, they will need to cross both lanes to negotiate a left turn, this is a 60mph road and potentially there could a fatal accident. We strongly urge Hampshire Highways look in depth at this application.

Conclusion
While renewable energy is supported, this proposal is excessive, poorly located, and inconsistent with local and national planning policy. We urge its refusal.

Proposed One-Way of Hall Lane and Gaston Lane Update (10th July)

Thank you again for your time yesterday.

Following our discussion and in light of your concerns, we have decided to remove the proposed one-way system from the plans.

The one-way routing will now apply only to construction vehicles during the temporary 12 month construction period. These vehicles will access the site from Selborne Road, traveling west along Barleywood Farm Lane and Gaston Lane. They will enter the site and exit via Hall Lane, heading east back towards Selborne Road. Vehicles needing to access the fields north of Gaston Lane will cross the lane and enter the main site, continuing through to Hall Lane.

For residents, there will be no restrictions. Normal two-way travel will be maintained on all roads once the bridge repairs on Gaston Lane are completed.

We have instructed our transport consultants to update the plans and supporting documentation accordingly. This revised information will then be submitted to East Hampshire District Council.

Please note that this approach remains subject to assessment and approval by the Highways team.