PLANS have returned to create a more than 11-hectare solar farm on agricultural land close to Thruxton Airfield and race circuit.

Novus Renewable Services Limited has resubmitted an application cover 11.5 hectares of land at Lains Farm, Cholderton Road, Quarley.

The company applied to construct a solar farm, with battery energy storage system, in 2021 but it was refused in September 2023. It is refusal notice, Test Valley Borough Council said: “Insufficient information has been submitted with the application to demonstrate that the proposed development would not have an unacceptable impact on the safe operation of Thruxton Airfield, in terms of harmful impacts from glint and glare”.

READ MORE: Company to appeal decision to reject solar farm over glare concerns

It also said that “insufficient information has been provided with the application to demonstrate that the proposal would have no adverse effects on the integrity of the Special Protection Areas at Salisbury Plain and Porton Down”.

The Civil Aviation Authority's (CAA) airfield advisory team previously raised concerns regarding potential glare affecting operations at Thruxton Aerodrome.

The application states that discussions have taken place between the developer and the CAA, with all the amendments and additions suggested by the CAA have been included.

In its latest application, Novus has stated that the panels will be “finished in a non-reflective dark colour to maximise absorption, and the rows are spaced to facilitate the maximum solar energy capture whilst retaining field boundaries, hedgerows and trees”.

SEE ALSO: Plans lodged to create flats on top floors of vacant shop in the town centre

A glint and glare assessment has also been included this application, alongside an assessment of potential impact on Thruxton Aerodrome.

The proposed solar farm will be able to generate up to 22.5MWp of electricity, this is equivalent to charging 570,375 Nissan Leaf electric cars. Novus states that the solar farm will save roughly 5,271 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.

The northern boundary of the site is the A303, which will provide access to the site, via the Weyhill Horse Transport Yard which is immediately to the west of the site.