'Gloucestershire at risk of becoming Solarshire' - councillor

A councillor is concerned about the number of solar farm applications

An area of Gloucestershire is "at risk of becoming Solarshire", a councillor has warned.

There have been several applications to build solar farms on fields between Newent and Highnam.

If all applications are approved, there could be a corridor of one million solar panels.

Forest of Dean District Council (FODDC) is currently preparing its Local Plan, which will set out guidelines for development until 2041, once adopted.

Councillor Gill Moseley raised the issue at a FODDC meeting, saying: "In the north of the district, we are in danger of becoming Solarshire not Gloucestershire.

"We've been bombarded with applications for solar farms partly due to the existence of National Grid infrastructure which crosses the area.

"Guidance on where best to locate solar and wind farms is thin. Can we please look at our Local Plan to provide some spatial policy?"

'Wild west territory'

She asked why the council does not call for areas to be assessed for renewable energy sites, like they do with housing.

"It's wild west territory at the moment for solar farm companies who are heavily targeting farms that have access to the grid," she added.

Local Plan cabinet member Sid Phelps agreed with Ms Moseley and said the issue was worth looking into.