'Major' solar farm could be built despite concerns

The solar farm is planned for land close to the village of Burnett

A major new solar farm could be built in countryside to the west of Bath.

Developers say the 28.2 hectare (70 acre) site near the village of Burnett could generate enough electricity to power 5,763 homes in the district each year.

A statement submitted with the application to Bath and North East Somerset Council said it was "vitally important" for local energy security to produce renewable electricity.

However, six local residents have objected to the plans, saying the land should be left for growing crops.

S. Freedman said: “I object to this application. What is more important, food to feed people or energy for lighting or heating? To me it is food.

"Instead of placing solar panels in fields every new house built should have solar panels on the roof and existing houses should follow suit.”

David Eachus added: “Stop destroying our wildlife and farmland. This whole area is being systematically polluted with planning applications and it’s gone too far.”

But the applicants Conrad Energy (Developments) II Ltd said the site, off Middle Piece Lane, would continue to be used for agriculture.

Their statement said: “It is envisaged that the fields under the panels will remain in agricultural use and used for sheep grazing during the site’s operational lifetime.”

The solar farm would be decommissioned after 40 years and the site restored to its former state, the developer added.