Fleet Solar Farm Project

Project Status

In March 2025, Fleet Solar Farm, a 47.5 MW (AC) renewable energy project located on land north of Long Sutton, Hampshire, was granted planning permission by Hart District Council. This approval marks a significant milestone in the delivery of the project. 

Following this, the project team has submitted the preferred route for the cable connection, which will link the solar farm to the local electricity network. Further updates will be provided as the project moves into the next phase of development.

About the Project

Fleet Solar Farm is approximately 55 hectares in size, located across several fields of varying agricultural value. The project has the potential to provide enough renewable energy to supply approximately 18,600 homes*.

The maximum height of the solar panels will be approximately 2.6 metres from ground level with the site also accommodating transformers and a switchgear unit. To find out more about the technical components of a solar farm, click here.

During operation, it is likely that the site will be grazed by sheep as grassland and wildflower meadow will be planted around and under the solar panels. The existing Public Rights of Way (footpaths) which cross the site would be maintained throughout the operational phase of the solar farm. There will be a minimum buffer of 10 m from either side of the footpath to the solar panels, often with planting in between.

Fleet Solar Farm has a consent for a period of 40 years, after which the solar farm will be decommissioned with the land returning to the landowner.

Ecological Enhancements

Fleet Solar Farm has been designed with a focus on improving and protecting the local landscape and environment, and includes:

• Securing a significant Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) of up to 50% in habitat units and 67% in hedgerow units;
• Installing new bat and bird boxes;
• Preserving and safeguarding existing trees and improving current hedgerows;
• Filling gaps within existing hedgerows with suitable native hedgerow species;
• Enhancing field margins through species rich neutral grassland;
• Planting native species grass and meadow mixes around and under the solar panels; and
• Introducing native species grass and wildflower meadow mixes along field margins and throughout undeveloped fields.

Benefits of Fleet Solar Farm

• Supplying enough clean electricity to power approximately 37,000 UK households per year*, saving circa 29,000 tonnes of CO2 per year;
• Creating significant biodiversity net gain, with new habitats to support local wildlife;
• Sheep grazing can continue alongside the solar panels – supporting food and energy security;
• A £19,000 annual Community Benefit Fund - totalling around £760,000 over 40 years - to support local projects;
• Around £95,000 paid in business rates every year (about £3.8 million over the project’s lifetime) to support essential local services; 
• Ending intensive arable farming near sensitive woodland to enhance and safeguard this valuable local resource;
• Helping to tackle the climate crisis, recognised by the UK Government as “the biggest threat to nature and food security and to our rural communities”;
• With a grid connection planned for 2028, Fleet Solar Farm will help the UK meet its Government’s Clean Power 2030 goals by providing urgently needed low-carbon infrastructure.

Local Supplier Opportunities  

A range of services will be required throughout the construction and operational stages of the Fleet Solar Farm project, including material supply, accommodation, retail provision, catering, security, fencing and more. This presents an opportunity for local businesses equipped with the necessary skills and services. If you are interested in working with us on the Fleet Solar Farm, please email to register your interest in joining our Local Suppliers Database**.

Community Benefit Fund 

As a responsible developer, a Community Benefit Fund will be set up to support local community projects if the proposal is consented, and Fleet Solar Farm becomes operational. This flexible funding can be used to address what is important to people in the local area including suggestions put forward during the pre-application consultation.  

A Community Benefit Fund of£19,000 per annum will be offered for the 40-year lifetime of Fleet Solar Farm. Payments will begin once the project is commercially operational.

The Need for Solar Development 

Fleet Solar Farm responds to national and local renewable energy targets aiming to combat climate change. The UK Government has set ambitious targets for renewable energy generation to ensure the country reaches Net Zero emissions by 2050. 

Locally, Hart District Council declared a Climate Emergency in April 2021, and has committed to becoming a carbon neutral authority by 2035 and a carbon neutral district by 2040. Hart District Council’s Planning Policy, in principle, supports the development of the proposed Fleet Solar Farm, providing that any resulting impacts are addressed satisfactorily. The Development Team have sought to address any impacts through sensitive design and mitigation measures informed by survey and assessment work undertaken to date.

About Fleet Solar Ltd. 

Fleet Solar Limited would like to thank those who engaged with us during the planning process and provided feedback. Our aim is to continue to engage positively with the local community and stakeholders. 

Fleet Solar Limited is a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) wholly owned by BRE/GE Solar Developments Limited which is a company owned by BayWa r.e. UK Limited and Grüne Energien Projekt UG (Haftungsbeschränkt).