Controversial Surrey solar farm approved on land ‘That puts the wheat in your Weetabix’
Thousands of solar panels will power up to 5,500 homes on protected agricultural land near Leigh.
A controversial solar farm planned for Surrey green belt farmland has been approved despite strong objections from residents and councillors.
Mole Valley District Council backed plans for Little Flanchford Farm near Leigh, where solar panels will generate enough electricity to power up to 5,500 homes and cut more than 4,000 tonnes of carbon emissions a year.
Critics argued the development would damage some of the county’s best agricultural land.
Conservative councillor Simon Budd said: “That is the land that feeds us, that puts the wheat in your Weetabix.”
Supporters said the scheme would boost renewable energy and improve local energy resilience.
The solar farm was approved by eight votes to four, with three abstentions.