Plans to establish a substantial solar farm, projected to generate enough energy to power about a third of the homes in Mole Valley, Surrey, have been scrapped after a contentious vote by local councillors. The proposed site, covering 135 acres on Cobham Road, Fetcham, was intended to produce 49.5 megawatts of renewable electricity. However, the Mole Valley District Council voted 7-5, with one councillor abstaining, against the plans.
Those in opposition to the solar farm expressed concerns about the development’s impact on green belt land and its proximity to ancient woodlands. They deemed it an inappropriate use of valued land, arguing for the preservation of local agricultural land that plays a crucial role in food production for the community. Councillor Simon Budd vocally opposed the plan, emphasizing the importance of maintaining local farming practices and the environmental costs associated with importing food.
Despite the local planning officers’ recommendation for approval—which suggested that any rejection would likely be overturned on appeal, incurring significant costs to taxpayers—the council’s decision reflected the strong sentiments against encroaching on prime agricultural land. Councillor Abhiram Mageshsaid criticized the rejection, calling it ‘not defensible’ and underscoring the need to prioritize logical considerations over emotional responses in decisions of this nature.
Developers, Ethical Power, argued there was a compelling case for the renewable energy benefits that the solar farm would bring, suggesting that its ‘modest impacts’ were outweighed by the need for sustainable energy solutions. The discussion around the solar farm highlighted a broader conflict between local agricultural interests and the urgent need for renewable energy initiatives, a tension that is becoming increasingly prevalent in planning debates across the country.
