A CLEAN energy company based in Reading has accused a National Park authority of “hypocrisy” after it sought to refuse plans for the company’s for solar panels.
Enviromena has criticised the New Forest National Park Authority (NFNPA) and described it as “hypocritical” over concerns its refusal to install solar panels contradicts its stance on climate change.
The NFNPA was among more than 300 regional councils and organisations which declared a climate emergency back in August last year, intended to focus their response to climate change.
Enviromena has said that “few examples” of the actions taken by other organisations and authorities have been shown from NFNPA.
This includes its plans for renewable energy, which Enviromena had made proposals towards at a site in Netley Marsh.
It proposed a 25-acre solar project which would connect up to existing electricity infrastructure, but the project now looks set to be refused, despite full support on the project from the Netley Marsh Parish Council.
The plans would see a s six megawatt solar farm provide enough energy to power around 2,000 homes.
Residents in the New Forest National Park have a carbon footprint estimated to be 28% higher than the national average.
A decision on the application is to be made next week at a planning committee meeting.
Mark Harding, European Development Director of Enviromena, said: “There is now an opportunity to support real change in the forest, and a renewables project that could be of huge benefit locally.
“So far, our application has been received very negatively by the NPA and there has been little direction or willingness to help us.
He explained: “The whole process has been extremely difficult, and smacks of hypocrisy given the National Park’s net zero targets.
“This is despite backing from Netley Marsh Parish Council, whose members unanimously agreed to support the application as they could see the case for clean energy located on a site very well screened from public view.
“This show of support from the residents in the local area demonstrates that the locals do not have any objection to living near the proposed site.”
He also said that despite an initial lack of engagement from the National Park, concerns put forward by the authority had been”addressed” in updated proposals.
“Despite them looking to fast track a refusal in May, ahead of statutory timelines for an EIA development, in recent weeks we believe that we have worked with statutory consultees to address concerns and updated documents have been issued back to the NPA accordingly.
“In a given year, the carbon footprint of the residents of the New Forest National Park is estimated to be 28% higher than the UK average.
“By looking to put in place renewable projects, like this solar farm that we’re proposing would go some way to help offset these carbon emissions.
He explained: “We’re hoping the authority will give us a fair hearing to help benefit the region’s future clean energy supply– the Enviromena management team secured consent for and constructed two projects in the New Forest National Park a decade ago and we hope that a similar positive outcome can be reached for the scheme at Thornlands.
“The National Park Authority has made a commitment to become a net zero organisation by 2030 but without renewable projects like this, it’s hard to see how they will meet that target.”
