'Substantial changes' made to solar farm project

The solar farm could be built off Narrow Lane if plans are approved

Concerns raised by residents have prompted an energy company to make "substantial changes" to plans for a solar farm.

Exagen Development wants to build the farm on the edge of Wymeswold, near Loughborough, and has submitted a planning application for the scheme to Charnwood Borough Council (CBC).

The company held a public consultation earlier this year over the 240-acre Mantle Solar Farm development, off Narrow Lane.

The developer said there had been a "significant reduction" in solar panels near public rights of way amid concerns about the scale of the farm.

During the consultation, residents raised fears the project might interfere with views of the countryside and the potential impact it will have on nearby homes, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

'Visual impact'

The company said the consultation has "resulted in substantial changes to the development", including landscaping and biodiversity "enhancements".

There will also be an additional two paths to link existing public rights of way.

The company will also plant new hedgerows and add to existing hedgerows, the LDRS said.

The planning documents stated: "There were concerns raised around the scale of the project, visual impact and effect on the nearest residential properties, ecology and biodiversity impacts.

"Exagen has taken into account of all comments and made changes to the design and layout in response to these."

The company claims the site would power almost 20,000 homes.