A PUBLIC consultation is to be held on plans for a huge solar farm in the heart of the Itchen Valley.

German firm Kronos Solar Projects will hold the meeting on Monday, May 6, to discuss the proposed site near Folly Hill Farm, near Itchen Stoke.

It would be the first project of its kind for the Winchester District.

Photovoltaic farms, or “solar ranches”, use solar panels to generate electricity on an industrial scale.

The one earmarked for Folly Farm would cover 70 hectares and generate enough electricity for 30,000 homes.

Project manager for Kronos, Makan Yarandi, said: “It would be considered bigger than typical. The projected completion date would depend on the planning application, but after that plays out, then six months.”

Cllr Kim Gottlieb, who represents the Itchen Valley, said he was informed of the plans on Tuesday (April 30).

“I have to approach these things with an open mind because it may come before me at committee. But I seem to recall a similar proposal a while back and most people were happy with it.

“But I draw a distinction between these and wind farms and I’m looking forward to the consultation.”

Chris Holloway, director of Winchester Action on Climate Change, said: “We’re strongly in favour of an increase in the availability of renewable energy in Hampshire. In principle, the technology is sound and we know it works. We know it’s reliable, but we judge each scheme on its merits and one has to take everything into account.”

Representatives of Kronos Solar Projects will discuss the proposals at the public consultation at Itchen Abbas and Avington Hall on Monday, May 6, from 6pm to 8pm.