Published in the Portsmouth News on Thursday 31st January 2013
Story by Kimberly Barber
A GROUP of staunch green campaigners has handed over a petition of more than 200 signatures backing a proposed solar farm.
Gosport and Fareham Friends of the Earth gathered outside the Civic Offices in Fareham to ensure the names were given directly to council officials.
If given the go-ahead, energy company ib vogt will put 200,000 solar panels on 58 hectares, making the solar farm one of the largest in Europe.
Friends of the Earth is in favour of the development on 123 acres at Newlands Farm, which sits between south Fareham and Stubbington, and believes the farm will make Fareham a green leader.
Supporter Esme Vivian organised the petition, which saw members knock on doors and take to the streets to collect 212 signatures.
As the group handed over the petition, another person stopped to sign taking the total up to 213.
Mrs Vivian said: ‘It’s interesting because we have the same number of people from Gosport and Fareham in support of the farm, even though Gosport Borough Council has come out as being against the farm completely.
‘In general, the majority of the people I have spoken to have been sympathetic to the solar farm. It is always people who object who go to the effort of writing to the council. Those who are in support think “that’s OK” and sit back and let things go ahead.
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