Underground grid cable at Land At White Hill, Well, Hook

What was proposed

The application proposed installing an underground cable to connect an approved solar farm to the National Grid at Fleet Substation.

“The application site comprises of circa 7 km for the installation of an underground cable. The route primarily consists of single lane and double lane hedgerow, and tree lined roads, and access into land owned and maintained as Fleet Substation.”

“The cable is required to facilitate connection of the solar farm granted planning permission via application reference 23/02591/FUL to the National Grid at Fleet Substation (23/02591/FUL). The solar farm is located to the south of Odiham Airfield and north west of the village of Long Sutton.”

Officer report

The site and route

The approximately seven-kilometre route would mainly follow roads and hedgerows before entering the Fleet Substation through woodland wayleaves.

“The cable would be located within the highway to the south and east of RAF Odiham’s runway along Long Lane, Cemetery Hill, Hillside and then join Farnham Road (A287) before accessing the Fleet Substation site through existing wayleaves within woodland to the north of Farnham Road.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

The connected solar farm was granted permission in April 2025, and another underground cable route to the substation was previously approved.

“23/02591/FUL, Installation of a 47.5 MW (AC) capacity ground mounted solar photovoltaic farm, new access and associated ancillary works. Decision: Granted – 10 th April 2025.”

“24/00070/FUL, Construction of an alternative underground cable route and associated works between Alton Road (B3349) and the Fleet Substation. Decision: Granted – 26/09/2024.”

Officer report

Objections from residents

Sixty letters objected to traffic disruption, road safety, closures, pollution, ecology, flooding, cumulative harm and insufficient assessment of alternatives.

“Timescale of disruption unacceptable/anti-social. • Roads not suitable for construction traffic with limited passing places. • Impact on emergency services. • Expressing farmland routes preferable. • Vital routes to Long Sutton Village impacted (schools, businesses, farms, deliveries, adjacent villages, occupants, servicing of properties (sewage, bins). • High traffic volumes along these routes.”

“Lack of CTEMPT • 4000+ vehicles use the route on a daily basis – Parish Council’s Speed Indicator Device data. • Relocate to within solar farm site. • Request for a financial bond for repair of roads. • Request for funds for compensation to businesses, schools and other organisations. • Road closures / restrictions only between the hours of 21:00 – 6:00 am Monday to Friday.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A parish council representative and a ward councillor spoke against the application, while the applicant’s agent spoke in support.

What members discussed

Members debated disruption, diversions, alternative routes, tunnelling, working hours, school holidays and community liaison, while noting highways had not objected.

“details of regular community liaison (condition 18) • consideration be given to the timing of the works and lengthening the working day to minimise disruption via informative • revised wording to condition 16 to allow varied working hours • consideration be given to the option of tunnelling for the work on the A287 (condition 18)”

Minutes

The committee vote

Eight members voted for the recommendation, none voted against and three abstained.

“For: Cllrs Brown, Butler, Cockarill, Makepeace-Browne, Oliver, Quarterman, Radley and Wildsmith (8) Against: (0) Abstained: Cllrs Forster, Southern and Worlock (3).”

Minutes

The decision

The Committee granted planning consent subject to conditions amended through the addendum and further changes agreed during the meeting.

“The recommendation to grant subject to conditions (as amended on the addendum paper) incorporating changes to conditions 16 and 18 to secure the following:”

“The Committee agreed to grant planning consent, subject to conditions, as amended in the addendum paper and as further amended by the Committee as summarised above.”

Minutes