More than 1,000 people have say on huge solar farm

Green Hill Solar Farm will spread across two different counties if approved

More than 1,200 people and businesses have sent comments to the Planning Inspectorate about a major solar farm, which would be the largest in the UK if approved.

The proposed Green Hill Solar Farm would cover about 2,965 acres (1,200 hectares) of land south and west of Wellingborough and north of Northampton.

It would also extend to include land to the north east of Warrington in Buckinghamshire.

The Planning Inspectorate is in the pre-examination stage with a decision date not yet set.

Several of the comments from members of the public and businesses oppose the development.

Some residents had already campaigned against the solar farm and local councillors have raised objections.

The size of the project means decisions and recommendations for the scheme will be made by the Planning Inspectorate, rather than local planning authorities.

Green Hill Solar Farm claimed the scheme was necessary to help the UK reach its net zero targets.

According to documents from the Planning Inspectorate, inspectors also carried out a site visit last month.

The three-person panel began and finished their visit at Sywell Country Park and took in the villages of Easton Maudit, Old, Mears Ashby, Holcot and Walgrave.

They also visited the existing Grendon National Grid substation and the proposed site for the battery energy storage system.

Green Hill would have a maximum power output of 500MW, developers said.

According to its website, if the solar farm is approved, construction would begin in 2027 with the aim of providing electricity to homes by 2029.