A hand-painted banner is at the heart of a campaign protesting solar farm plans.
The campaign centres around the River Alre, a rare chalk stream flowing through Hampshire, and objects to a proposed solar farm near Alresford and Bishop’s Sutton.
Created by artist Melissa Wall, the banner has become a striking symbol of community action and environmental awareness.
Melissa Wall said: “I wanted to create something that celebrates the River Alre and encourages people to appreciate what an extraordinary place it is.
“The river is part of the identity of this area.
“Whether you walk beside it, enjoy the wildlife it supports or simply value the landscape, it touches the lives of so many people.
“My hope is that the banner helps people understand why local residents care so deeply about protecting it.”
Plans for the solar farm, currently under consideration by Winchester City Council, have raised concerns due to the site’s proximity to the River Alre and adjoining wetlands, which feed into the protected River Itchen.
The River Itchen is designated as both a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
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Of approximately 200 chalk streams globally, around 85 per cent are found in England, with many located in Hampshire.
The proposed development site has attracted significant public response, with 183 comments recorded on Winchester City Council’s planning portal, including 167 objections.
Many objections highlight the ecological importance of the River Alre, while others focus on landscape impact, tourism, and the loss of Grade 3a “Best and Most Versatile Agricultural Land” identified in planning policy as important for food production.
Councillor Clare Pinniger, who represents Alresford and Itchen Valley, said: “This is an environmentally sensitive location and it is vital that planning decisions are based on robust ecological evidence.
“I have urged planning officers to undertake a site visit so they can properly appreciate the relationship between the proposed development, the valley landscape and the chalk stream.”
Concerns have also been raised about the estimated 9,000 to 15,000 solar panels that could be installed on the hillside, making them highly visible from surrounding areas.
Councillor Jackie Porter, Winchester City Council’s cabinet member for place and local plan, said: “The River Alre and wider Itchen catchment form part of one of the rarest freshwater environments in the world, which is why so many local residents care deeply about this landscape.”
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