Planning Appeal Clears 29 MW Lower Wyke Solar Farm in Hampshire

British Solar Renewables (BSR) has secured planning permission on appeal from the Planning Inspectorate for its proposed 29 MW Lower Wyke Solar Farm near Andover, Hampshire, overturning an earlier refusal by the local planning authority. 

The decision enables the developer to move forward with the renewable energy scheme, which is expected to generate enough clean electricity to power thousands of homes while supporting the UK's net-zero ambitions. The approved project will comprise ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays and associated infrastructure on land at Lower Wyke. In addition to renewable energy generation, the scheme includes extensive ecological enhancements designed to deliver a 217% biodiversity net gain, with new habitats, hedgerow improvements and other measures aimed at increasing wildlife value across the site. 

The Planning Inspector concluded that the environmental and public benefits of the proposal outweighed the concerns that had led to the original refusal. In reaching the decision, the Inspector found that the renewable energy contribution, carbon emission reductions and biodiversity improvements justified granting planning permission through the appeal process. 

With the appeal now allowed, BSR can progress the Hampshire solar project towards construction, adding another utility-scale renewable energy development to the UK's growing solar portfolio. The decision also highlights the role of the Planning Inspectorate in reassessing local planning decisions where the wider national benefits of clean energy projects are considered to outweigh local impacts.