Plans to build a solar farm that could power more than 5,000 homes have run into opposition from a special needs school amid concerns its construction could negatively disrupt drop-offs and collections. ILOS Little Flanchford wants to install panels on a 17-hectare site in Little Flanchford Farm, near Leigh and has submitted a planning application to Mole Valley District Council.
The solar farm would have a 40-year lifespan, after which the land would be returned to a natural state. The developers say the project could enhance biodiversity and that public rights of way across the land would be retained. According to the developers, the clean energy created by the farm would remove about 4,052 tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
If approved, the construction is expected to take up to eight months to complete, with work restricted to weekdays between 8am and 6pm. There would be no weekend working nor deliveries on weekends or Bank Holidays. The hours of operation, together with concerns over increased risk to flooding and local wildlife has caused Moon Hall school to formally object to the plans.
Its bursar, Andrea Owens, wrote: “The school has 200 pupils who all have to gain access to/from the school via car or minibus due to the remote location and lack of pedestrian access at the start and end of every school day. The school adopts a carefully managed one-way system for traffic during these times, and therefore, any delays caused due to site traffic on Flanchford Road will have a detrimental impact on students and their ability to arrive on time and participate fully in their education from the start of the school day.
“Any potential delays in leaving the school due to site traffic would also lengthen the school day for many students, most notably those travelling considerable distances and utilising minibus services on our longer routes in order to access the specialist teaching that Moon Hall offers.”
Ilos Little Flanchford said in its planning statement: “The scheme would add to Mole Valley District Council’s progress in meeting its own local targets as well as contributing to national targets for both renewable energy supply and low-carbon energy generation. The proposal is the epitome of sustainable development being in accordance with adopted planning policy and national guidance.”
The consultation into the plans runs until January 13, 2025. At this stage, no decision date has been set.