A controversial solar farm development has been approved in rural Hampshire, despite fears it threatens one of Britain’s oldest roads.
The 2,500-year-old Harrow Way, an ancient trackway dating back to Neolithic times, runs through the village of Long Sutton – where the massive green energy project is set to be built.
Hart District Council has given the go-ahead for the development, despite fielding nearly 200 objections from locals concerned about its impact on the historic route.
The ancient road connects more than 200 miles of countryside between Dover in Kent and Seaton in Devon via Stonehenge.
The 2,500-year-old Harrow Way, an ancient trackway dating back to Neolithic times, runs through the village of Long Sutton
Hundreds of locals have filed objections to the scheme
SAVE OUR LANDSCAPE
“I think that’s wicked. I think that’s the worst sin ever,” she said.
While Ian Howard, 69, who built his house “for the view” 40 years ago, blasted: “The Harrow Way runs right through all of the village. We would have solar development on the right and solar development on the left, so the view from this ancient road is definitely impaired.”
Vicar Gillian Wilton, who presides over the 13th century All Saints church, said she was “distraught”.
“I think everyone’s very much in favour of solar panels and of doing things to protect the environment – it’s not that. It’s about whether this site is appropriate, and it’s about the sheer size of it,” she added.
Dr Lars Mosesson, 78, a long-standing Green Party member who has stood as a candidate at elections, opposes the development.
“We will see how completely changed the character will be, it won’t be a rural village any more,” he said.
‘It won’t be a rural village any more, it will be a concentration camp,’ Dr Mosesson fumed (file photo)
PA
He added that the character of the village would be “completely changed”.
“It won’t be a rural village any more, it will be a concentration camp,” Dr Mosesson fumed.
He warned the project represents an “abuse of the climate emergency” and has urged other communities to be vigilant.
“One of the things would be the abuse of the climate emergency. It’s a vital policy, but it was the failure to consider the issues relating to the site, the appropriateness of that. I would like to warn other people that this may been used by developers,” he added.
Residents have also voiced concerns about more than 100 acres of farmland being taken out of production.
A council planning report defended the approval, stating: “The provision of renewable energy is a key objective of the government’s net zero objectives for 2050. The plan in balance is in full accordance with the Government’s overarching objectives.”
