A DECISION on a solar farm in Iron Acton is set to be made today after the size of the operation was scaled down.

AEE Renewables originally wanted to put more than 43,000 solar panels on a site at Green Farm.

Now it has reduced the scheme "modestly" to 37,000 panels, which would generate enough power for 2,020 homes.

But the land is in the green belt and there is opposition to the loss of high quality agricultural land, as well as the impact it would have on the locality.

South Gloucestershire Council’s sites inspection panel visited the area earmarked for the proposed development before the cut in the number of panels.

But despite the change, Iron Acton Parish Council still opposes the scheme on grounds that include the loss of agricultural production, the effect on bed and breakfast businesses which overlook the site and the impact it would have on public paths and wildlife.

It said such solar farms should be on brownfield sites and complained at the lack of public notices around the site and direct notification to nearby householders regarding the application.

A number of residents have also objected to the scheme and South Gloucestershire Council's environment and climate change officer, while acknowledging the contribution it would make towards meeting renewable energy targets, said it would cut the productivity of top quality agricultural land and advised considering other sites first.

Planning officer Simon Penketh said since the sites inspection panel toured the location, council officers had secured changes in order to address specific concerns raised during initial assessment of the plan.

He said: "This has resulted in a modest reduction in the number of solar panels proposed to be installed and as such, the output has reduced correspondingly.

"The proposed development would produce up to 7.76 megawatts - reduced from 9.04 megawatts as originally submitted - of electricity which will be fed into the national grid."

Mr Penketh is expected to recommend approval of the scheme, which will also include eight electricity transformer stations connected to a single substation.

A two metre-high deer-proof security fence is also planned to surround the land, with access from Folly Road, itself reached from the B4059 Latteridge Road.

If approved, the solar farm would operate for 25 years and include a community fund.

Members of the development control east committee were set to debate the scheme at Kiingswood Civic Centre at 3pm today.

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