Solar farm covering hundreds of acres planned

Solar panels will cover agricultural land south of Yeovil

A large solar farm covering hundreds of acres is being proposed in north Dorset.

RWE wants to install thousands of panels east and north of Bradford Abbas, which it said would power up to 20,500 homes.

A consultation on the scheme ends on 25 September before a planning application is submitted in December.

The firm said it expected construction to begin in autumn 2026 with the facility going live in 2027.

Bradford Abbas Parish Council said it had heard about the proposal but had not been formally notified.

Neighbouring Thornhackett Parish Council held an extraordinary meeting on Tuesday to discuss the plans.

Residents can view the plans at Bradford Abbas Village Hall on Saturday between 16:00 and 19:00 BST.

A virtual exhibition is available on the RWE website.

According to the plans, RWE proposes a battery energy storage system along with £250,000 investment in green infrastructure including 3km (1.9 miles) of walking paths.

RWE said: "Dorset Council, having declared a climate emergency in 2019, has set an ambitious Climate Change Action Plan, aiming for the district to become carbon neutral by 2040.

"Projects like Wyke Solar Farm will contribute significantly to both local, and national climate commitments."

The proposed site is within the parish and council areas of Bradford Abbas, Castleton, Nether Compton, Yeovil and Over Compton.