Plans for University of Surrey solar farm near Guildford approved

The University of Surrey has been given permission to build a solar farm on green belt land in the county.

Working in partnership with SSE Energy Solutions, the university said the facility will provide 34% of its electricity.

It is planned for a 43-hectare site west of Blackwell Farm, Hog's Back, near Guildford.

The scheme was approved by Guildford Borough Council's planning committee on Wednesday.

The university's chief operating officer Will Davies said: "This solar facility is critically important for our university and the wider Guildford community, helping us to deliver on our commitment to achieve net zero by 2030, while also enhancing our financial stability and energy security after the price shocks caused by the energy crisis.

"Our modest scheme will boost the county of Surrey's renewable energy generation capacity by 13%.

"It will be delivered alongside wider plans to add solar to university rooftops and car parks, and a package of measures to increase our energy efficiency in general."

The application was supported by the university's students' union, but about 100 local residents and 15 other groups had sent letters of objection.