CONCERNS have been raised that lorries involved in the construction of a new solar farm in Tytherington have been flouting planning conditions.

A nearby resident says she has photographed a number of trucks servicing the site allegedly breaching planning restrictions on a number of occasions.

Caroline Elliott who lives at Baden Hill Farm in Tytherington, opposite the solar farm site, says she has filmed a driver arriving at the site after 9pm- despite a planning condition saying that work must be stopped by 6.30pm, as well as horse riders and cyclists having to navigate their way between lorries parking across the road.

“It’s just horrendous,” she said. “The site has had deliveries at 9.30pm, breaching county council planning conditions.

“We opposed this site when plans were first submitted to the council because we live so close to it but permission was given after they had laid down a load of conditions but they take no notice of them.

Mrs Elliott, 40, who runs a music class for toddlers, added: “Lorries have been using our drive to turn around in. This is despite me telling the foreman that they couldn't.

“They are using three site entrances instead of the one outlined in the planning application. They are also supposed to clean the roads but that hasn't been done.

As part of the application, 23 planning conditions were agreed between the parties. However, in December 2014 nine of those conditions were discharged.

The site was recently acquired by German firm Hanwha Q CELLS from Green Hedge (formerly AEE Renewables) who will now construct and operate the solar farm.

A spokesman for Hanwha Q CELLS said: “Hanwha Q CELLS attaches great importance to realising the Tower Hill solar farm in good relations with the parish and local residents. This is why our company met with both the local parish council and concerned residents twice in January in order to explain the proposed program of construction and listen to the concerns of local residents.

“In fact, we even postponed construction on the site to facilitate the second meeting with the parish council in late January.

“The start of construction occurred in early February. Since then, the company has gone to great lengths to address any concerns raised by local residents through, for example, the ordering of additional signage to ensure the correct flow of construction traffic or through the introduction of regular meetings with residents.

"Hanwha Q CELLS strives to avoid any kind of incident that would upset the local residents. Moreover we are, and will remain, in ongoing contact with both local residents and the parish council in order to address concerns as they arise."

A South Gloucestershire Council spokesman said: “We are not aware of any complaints regarding a breach of conditions attached to this planning application.

“We would urge the resident to contact us with details of the alleged breaches so that our planning enforcement team can investigate.”

South Gloucestershire Council's planning department can be contacted by telephoning 01454 868004.