Infrabee gets green light for New Forest solar farm powering 5,000 homes

A 29-hectare solar farm in the New Forest has been approved, bringing a major boost to local green energy efforts.

The £8.5 million project, located near Walkford Farm on the Hampshire border between Bransgore and New Milton, will generate enough electricity to power up to 5,000 homes each year.

The 15MW site, developed by renewable energy provider Infrabee, will help reduce carbon emissions and support the UK’s net zero goals. It is estimated to cut emissions equivalent to taking 2,140 petrol cars off the road for 40 years.

As well as contributing to the fight against climate change, the solar farm will create jobs, provide a diversified income stream for the local farming community, and generate £2.3 million in business rates over its operational lifetime.

In addition, the project will boost the local environment, with plans for species-rich grass, wildflowers, and new hedgerows around the site, increasing the area’s net biodiversity by 122 per cent.

Henry Brown, Director of Infrabee, said: “We’re thrilled to see the hard work pay off with the New Forest solar farm gaining approval. The clean energy produced here will have a significant impact on both the local community and the environment.”

Nick Barber, fellow Director, added: “This planning consent allows us to move forward in providing green energy solutions, which will benefit both local businesses and households.”

The solar farm will join Infrabee’s growing portfolio of renewable energy projects across the UK, with five other sites expected to connect over the next 18 months. The company is focused on driving the country’s transition to sustainable energy sources.

Planning advice for the New Forest site was provided by Pegasus Group.