University of Surrey's controversial solar farm could face fresh battle as campaigners urge Angela Rayner to act

Plans for a Surrey solar farm face a fresh battle as campaigners have called for the controversial decision to be looked at again. They are fighting to save the green belt and preserve a "geographically significant and nationally important landscape" near Guildford.

The University of Surrey was granted permission to build the solar farm on a 43-hectare site off the Hog’s Back earlier this month. In partnership with SEE Energy Solutions, the solar farm is expected to provide 34% of the University’s current electricity needs.

Jeremy Hunt, MP for Godalming and Ash, is the latest to join the calls for the “nationally significant” decision to be reconsidered. He has this week written to Secretary of State for Housing, Angela Rayner, in support of Compton Parish Council's request to call in Guildford Borough Council's decision to approve the plans.

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Surrey Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) has also also written to Mrs Rayner arguing the decision for the solar farm on green belt land 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".

Mr Hunt, whose constituency covers the southern and western part of the site, has written to Deputy Prime Minister to express his concern about the solar farm's impact on the countryside. The southern parts of the site meet National Landscape criteria and have been recommended for inclusion within the revised boundary of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, however, Mr Hunt raised concerns this was not given due weight in the decision.

In his letter to Mrs Rayner, who is the Minister of Housing, Communities and Local Government, 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. 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.”

The solar farm, on land west of Blackwell Farm, is expected to increase total renewable energy generation in Surrey by 13%. But Mr Hunt has also questioned its green credentials, as he highlights no assessment of the carbon impact of the overall scheme, including the road, was undertaken.

Guildford's MP responds

However, Guildford's MP Zöe Franklin has defended the solar farm plans and she support's the university's aims through the investment.

The new Liberal Democrat MP 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.

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, which could see the decision overturned or remain intact.

"We hope others will follow"

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.”

Guildford Borough Council have been contacted for comment.