STOP THE LOXWOOD AND WISBOROUGH GREEN SOLAR FARM

URGENT UPDATE: Please send an email to: DCPLANNING@CHICHESTER.GOV.UK quoting planning ref: 25/00658/FUL and your name and address and say that you want to lodge a formal objection. If you can, please include a reason that matters the most to you.E.g

• Severe Construction Traffic and Safety Risks
• Permanent Loss of Productive Agricultural Land
• Industrialisation of Rural Landscape
• Significant Environmental and Biodiversity Harm

Renewable Connections have applied for planning permission to build an industrial scale solar park straddling Loxwood and Wisborough Green to cover over 100 acres of valuable farmland with solar panels – equivalent to over 60 average football pitches.

The chosen site would destroy vital habitats, fragment eco systems and increase flood risks.

It would impact Loxwood’s remaining areas of ancient woodland which are prioritized for protection under key national and local planning policies as an irreplaceable wildlife rich habitat.

The site hosts important protected species including: 

Nesting skylarks, nightingales, yellow hammers (all Red Listed endangered birds)

Bechstein & Barbastelle bats (European protected species)

Greater Crested Newts (European protected species)

Renewable Connections estimate 1,094 two-way HGV movements during the construction phase. These would all come over Newbridge (which is single file). Access is proposed via widening Drungewick Lane and 2 new roads to be built across open farmland.

Drungewick Lane is a beautiful, unspoilt, single file country lane which is totally unsuitable for HGVs. It is a magnet for eco-tourism in the local area providing access to the Wey & Arun Canal and has a designated Wildlife Verge. It is also in constant use by horse riders - 5 bridleways and 4 public footpaths connect directly to Drungewick Lane and form an equestrian hub for 4 local villages. HGVs would present a real and present danger for all the vulnerable road users: horse riders, walkers and cyclists.

There are low lying properties on Drungewick Lane within Flood Zone 3 which are already subject to flooding.

Both Loxwood and Wisborough Green Parish Councils have strongly objected to the proposed development.

We know that solar can be done better than this - it can be readily accommodated on roof tops, infrastructure corridors, car parks, brownfield sites, and even unproductive greenfield land if needed. These alternatives MUST be prioritised for solar to avoid unnecessary damage to our food security, biodiversity, heritage, livelihoods, recreation and mental health.

OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS YOUR HELP – once our greenspace has gone, it’s gone for good!

Chichester planning department will be meeting soon to discuss and possibly approve the development. Sign this petition to make your voice heard in opposition to the planned development. 

This is the first of what could be many planning applications in the local area that, if granted, would change the landscape for generations to come.