COUNCILLORS have controversially given the green light to proposals to build a 5MW solar plant on farmland near Goodworth Clatford.

Councillors on Test Valley Borough Council’s Northern Area Planning Committee have granted planning permission to Tealing Solar Parks to build over 16,000 PV panels on a 12.4 hectare site known as Fullerton Farm.

The land, which is situated along the A3057, south west of the Hampshire Golf Club, is currently described as ‘arable farmland’.

However the green energy firm will now have permission to convert the site into a 5MW solar farm, which will supply renewable energy to an estimated 1,300 homes in the area.

The application had previously provoked mixed reaction, with Wherwell Parish Council supporting the plans while councillors in Goodworth Clatford, which borders the back of the site, submitted an objection.

Goodworth Clatford Parish Council were particularly concerned with the ‘semi-industrialisation’ of the area, with the site bordering an oil well and a sewage works.

Parish councillors were also concerned about the ‘over development of solar farms in the village’ with the area already hosting two sites, totalling 46 acres, and a possible 160 acre site awaiting an appeal hearing.

Meanwhile 11 letters of objections were submitted to the council from neighbouring residents.

Despite the objections councillors voted in favour of the solar farm, which will consist of 16,440 photovaltaic panels, transformer stations and security fencing.

The site will also be screened using trees and hedges around the perimeters, while biodiversity measures will be included.

The planning permission will last 25 years from the first operation of the solar farm, with the developers expected to return the land to its original condition following that period.

Tealing Solar Parks will also be expected to comply with conditions including confining construction to 7.30am to 6pm on weekdays, 8am to 1pm on Saturdays and not at all on Sundays.Planning and building portfolio holder, Councillor Phil Bundy said: “The Northern Area Planning Committee resolved to grant permission for the solar farm as the proposals offer sustainable energy benefits for the local area and the impact on the local landscape would be sufficiently mitigated by the landscaping proposed.”