Lower Wyke Solar Park
A long‑term clean energy opportunity for Andover
Lower Wyke is a proposed solar project on the outskirts of Andover. Once built, it will generate enough clean electricity to power more than 7,200 homes every year and save over 6,400 tonnes of CO₂ annually. Alongside its energy contribution, the project is set to deliver meaningful environmental improvements and dedicated community investment, helping the area benefit from clean energy in a way that supports both local people and nature.
Project timeline
Feasibility studies took place between 2021 and 2023, followed by a formal planning process beginning in 2023. The project is currently in appeal, with a decision expected in mid‑2025. Should consent be granted, grid connection is anticipated for 2027. We’ll continue to update this page as the project progresses.
Identify & survey
Finding the right land and grid connections, backed by in-depth feasibility and environmental studies.
Engage & tailor
Working with local authorities, parish councils, and communities to shape each proposal responsibly.
Approve & construct
Securing planning permission and delivering projects to the highest technical and environmental standards.
Operate & steward
Managing our sites for the long term, with biodiversity initiatives and a clear “leave no trace” approach.
Shaped with local communities
Local engagement has been at the heart of the Lower Wyke proposal. The project team began by meeting St Mary Bourne Parish Council in September 2022, before launching a wider public consultation the following November. Over a four‑week period, residents, businesses and stakeholders were invited to share their views, supported by a dedicated project website, online surveys, hard‑copy feedback forms and consultation events held at St Mary Bourne Village Centre.
The consultation was promoted through newsletters, posters, local media and direct outreach to ensure that anyone who wished to take part had opportunities to do so. This feedback has played a key role in shaping the application.
Community benefits
Lower Wyke is expected to deliver a range of long‑term benefits for the area. The project will provide clean electricity, reduce carbon emissions, and create new habitats that support local wildlife. A £29,000 Community Benefit Fund will be available once the site is operational, offering grants for community‑led initiatives and local projects.
The project is also anticipated to deliver an exceptional 217% net gain in habitats and hedgerows, creating a richer, more diverse natural landscape.
Community highlights
- £29,000 Community Benefit Fund
- 217% net gain in habitats and hedgerows
- 7,252 homes powered each year
- 6,423 tonnes of CO₂ saved annually
Nature protection and biodiversity
Nature protection sits at the core of the Lower Wyke design. As part of the scheme, more than 54 metres of new species‑rich hedgerow will be planted, alongside new trees and strengthened existing vegetation. Proposed mammal gates will allow safe passage for local wildlife, while landscaping plans focus on creating a network of habitats across the site.
These measures together deliver the project’s anticipated 217 percent biodiversity net gain, one of the highest uplift values across our current portfolio.
Ongoing design considerations
Throughout the planning process, heritage and environmental factors have been assessed carefully. For example, an Archaeological and Heritage Assessment concluded that the project’s impact on the nearby Devil’s Ditch Scheduled Monument is limited and substantially mitigated through design refinements developed with Historic England. The project team remains committed to responsible stewardship of this historical landscape.