MORE than 100 solar panels could be installed at a Hampshire plant nursery if plans are approved. 

Derek Taylor, of Kirton Farm Nurseries, Stockbridge Road, Crawley, wants to have 120 ground mounted panels on 15 frames on a field previously used for outdoor potted plant production. 

The proposed development site comprises bare earth with terraces and trenches, having previously been used as a nursery potting area more than 10 years ago.

The solar array would have 15 south facing individual frames arranged in three lines. Each frame would hold eight panels, arranged in double landscape orientation to reduce the height and visual impact of the array. The maximum height of the array in the winter position will be no more than 2m.

READ MORE: Ofsted boosts Hampshire nursery's rating after just six months

Kirton Farm Nurseries site (Image: WCC)

The application's planning statement said: “Kirton Farm Nurseries was established in 1984 and the owners have been investing in renewable and power-saving technology since 2008. There is currently a 40% shortfall in electricity generated by the onsite wind turbines during periods of light wind. This solar array has been designed to address most of this shortfall and can also be used to cover overnight power consumption by utilising two new 10kW batteries. The additional power generated onsite opens up opportunities to power more electric vehicles and an air source heat pump in the future, which would almost eradicate the need for fossil fuel imports on to site.”

The nursery was among the first places to install wind turbines.

By Tuesday, July 2 no public comments in support or objection had been submitted to Winchester City Council. 

For more details about the planning applications online, search 24/00623/FUL on Winchester City Council's online planning portal.