Hook Proposals

What are we proposing to build?

Fareham Borough Council is preparing to submit a proposal for a small solar farm on land north of Hook. The proposed solar farm would have an approximate capacity of 2.1MW per annum.

Why Hook?

The proposed site has been carefully selected as part of a detailed feasibility process. Consideration has been given to a range of factors including residential amenity, grid capacity, solar irradiation, environmental designations, cultural heritage, ecology, biodiversity, flood risk and agricultural land quality.

Community Input and Design Development

Your feedback, alongside expert technical assessments will help ensure the final design is sensitively integrated into its surroundings and complies with national and local planning policies.

Figure 1: Proposed Site Boundary

Landscape and Visual Considerations

The existing mature vegetation forming the site boundaries will help provide a degree of visual screening from nearby homes. There is the opportunity for this to be enhanced where necessary.

Grid Connection

The renewable energy generated will be exported directly into the electricity grid, thanks to a confirmed connection, without needing new off‑site infrastructure.

Climate and Energy Benefits

The proposal supports the Council’s commitment to becoming carbon neutral in its operations by 2030 and is part of our Climate Change Action Plan. The Solar Farm will also contribute towards the Government’s goal of all electricity generation coming from clean sources by 2035. The UK has also pledged to reach Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Our proposal for Hook Solar Farm would deliver the following:

  • Generate approximately 2.1MW of clean electricity each year;

  • Reduce carbon emissions by around 860 tonnes of CO₂ each year;

  • Remain accessible to walkers, with a 10m border around the proposed Solar Farm that will allow continued recreational use;

  • Have a minimal impact on the existing highways network, through careful management of the construction vehicle route, vehicle numbers and timings; and

  • Support the Council’s aim to achieve Carbon Neutrality across services.

What are the benefits of this solar farm?

  • Generate clean, local renewable energy, designed sensitively to blend into an already well‑screened landscape.

  • Cut carbon emissions by producing green electricity right here in Fareham - reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and helping tackle climate change.

  • Boost site biodiversity by at least 10%, creating richer habitats for wildlife and enhancing the natural environment.

  • Protect public access, allowing walkers to continue enjoying paths around the site while it generates clean energy in the background.

  • Support a greener future for the borough, providing long‑term environmental benefits for residents and the wider community.

Why solar?

The Council’s Climate Change Action Plan and the Fareham Local Plan 2037 actively support well‑designed renewable energy projects and small‑scale solar is one of the quickest, cleanest and most cost‑effective ways to achieve this.

The UK is working towards ambitious 2050 Net Zero goals and communities like ours play an important part. With rising energy costs and the need for reliable local infrastructure, generating clean energy has never been more important.