Villagers use council's anti-slavery policy to fight solar farm plan
The controversial plan would cover 17 acres of the Hampshire-Berkshire border with solar panels in an area that inspired Watership Down, the 1972 children's novel by Richard Adams.
Since Anglo Renewables submitted the planning application to build near Kingsclere village, Hants, in April 2024, more than 300 objections have been lodged.
Sheila Openshaw, a local, recently submitted an objection which points to an amendment to the Great British Energy Bill that bans panels made using slave labour.
Mrs Openshaw highlighted the potential impact on Basingstoke and Deane borough council's obligations under the Modern Slavery Act 2015, which requires organisations to publish their stance on forced labour.
She urged the local authority to take the issue into account because its position on modern slavery commits it to ensuring its supply chains are free of human-trafficking.
Mrs Openshaw, who has lived next to the ancient woodland for more than 30 years, said: 'There is a clause to be added to the Great British Energy Bill which bans solar panels which have been produced by slave or forced labour.
'This fits well with Basingstoke and Deane's stance on modern slavery and should be taken into account when discussing this matter.'
Around half the world's supply of polysilicon, a key material in the construction of solar panels, comes from China's Xinjiang region, where there have long been concerns about the treatment of Uyghur Muslims.
In March, the Lords tabled an amendment to the Great British Energy Bill requiring the newly created body GB Energy to ensure there were no materials suspected of being produced by slave labour used in its solar panels, batteries or wind turbines.
The Government ordered MPs to vote this down, but Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary, has since U-turned. He has said the Bill will now include just such a clause.
The solar scheme proposal by Anglo Renewables involves building a 'renewable energy generating station' at Strattons Farm, Kingsclere, Hants. The firm claims it could power over 5,700 homes.
To protest against the development, campaigners dressed up as rabbits in May 2024, and lay under solar panels with placards reading 'grass not glass' and 'this is not in keeping with this beautiful countryside'.
Speaking last year, Mrs Openshaw described the 'iconic' Watership Down as a 'tranquil landscape' and an 'area of natural beauty'.
She said: 'If we replace fields that are growing food with solar panels where are we going to grow the food?'
Mrs Openshaw suggested brownfield sites like 'car parks and roofs' were better suited for solar farms, adding: 'As far as I'm concerned, this solar farm is green-washing – it's not really green, I think it's purely a money-making exercise.'
In a written planning objection, Alan Monger, another local resident, said: ' There are lots of amazing walks and fantastic views from the downs, soon to be spoilt if this plan goes ahead. If farming land is used to generate electricity we will need to import even more food.'
James Stone, the managing director of Anglo Renewables, said: 'It is crucial to revolutionise the energy production methods in the UK, now more than ever.
'Our proposed solar farm aligns with Basingstoke and Deane district council's acknowledgement of a climate emergency and the establishment of national climate change goals mandated by law.'
Mr Stone continued: 'We have carefully considered the input from the local community and have recently modified the project design, to address the matters they have raised.
'The size of the solar farm has reduced by approximately 16.5 acres – a reduction of 19 per cent.
'We have removed panels in the southern and western portions of the proposed scheme, moving panels away from residential properties and Ecchinswell.
'The variety of plants and animals on the site of the Solar Farm would also see significant improvements, with a biodiversity net gain of 44 per cent increase in habitat units, 52 per cent in hedgerow units, and 91 per cent in watercourse units.
'The solar farm will produce enough renewable energy to power approximately 5,934 homes every year and provide a community benefit fund.'
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