Chala Fiske, a 78-year-old retired mathematician, has just won a major victory after spending seven years and £100,000 of her own money fighting to stop a solar farm from being developed near her home.
Living in East Wellow, Hampshire, a village steeped in history and home to around 3,000 people, Fiske stood up against a plan that would see 46 megawatts of solar power installed, potentially supplying electricity to 14,000 homes.
The Long Fight
The battle started back in 2017 when the local council, Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC), approved the project.
The proposed site, on agricultural land near the historic village, was set to feature over 80,000 solar panels and an electricity substation.
Fiske, who had lived next to the fields since 1982, was firmly opposed to the project.
Her main concern wasn’t the concept of solar energy itself, but rather the use of valuable farmland, especially given the UK’s struggles with food security.
“I’m not against solar farms, but this land should be used to grow food,” she stated.
With food security in the UK standing at just around 60%, Fiske believed that relying on imported goods could leave the country vulnerable in times of crisis.
Legal Victory
After years of legal challenges, Fiske’s persistence paid off.
In 2023, the High Court ruled in her favor, stating that the amendments to the solar farm plan didn’t meet the original planning conditions set in 2017.
TVBC appealed this decision but lost on December 10, 2024, marking a “landmark” victory for Fiske.
She described the ruling as a significant moment, highlighting how her fight was not just about her own interests but about setting a precedent for future planning decisions.
“I probably spent as much as they did on this,” Fiske said, referring to the council’s legal expenses.
“They tried to make an example of me, but I’m not the one they should have chosen.”
A Personal Struggle
Fiske’s battle wasn’t easy, especially without the support of her late husband, Anthony, who passed away in April 2024.
He had been concerned that the fight would bankrupt them.
Despite this, Fiske continued, driven by a belief in the importance of protecting the land and challenging a system she felt took advantage of local residents’ lack of legal knowledge.
“I’m not a lawyer, but I made sure I understood the planning laws. They were trying to push this through without fully informing the community,” she added.
What’s Next?
Fiske’s next goal is to see the area restored, particularly the footpath that was removed to make way for construction vehicles.
Her lawyer, Sara Hanrahan, emphasized the importance of the ruling for planning law, describing it as a pivotal moment for future land use decisions.
Meanwhile, local councillor Nick Adams-King acknowledged that while the need for energy infrastructure and security has evolved, he shared concerns about the location of the project.
“Times have changed, and energy security is crucial, but it’s unfortunate that this project was set to be developed here,” he said.
Test Valley Borough Council is now considering the next steps, including whether to appeal the decision or explore alternative plans.
This victory may have been a personal one for Fiske, but it has broader implications for how planning decisions are made, particularly when it comes to balancing energy needs with the preservation of local landscapes and food security.