A SOLAR farm which could power more than 10,000 homes a year could be built on the outskirts of Yate.

Although a planning application has not yet been submitted, householders are being urged to give their views as part of a public consultation on proposals for the site at Mousewell Farm in Claypit Hill.

RWE Renewables, which is behind the scheme, says the site would generate 22MW annually, enough to power more than 10,000 homes every year.  Wildflower areas are also planned along with bird nesting boxes, bat boxes and bee hives.

A community benefit fund of up to £194,000 has also been proposed to support nearby communities.

The fund can be used to support sustainable initiatives in the area such as rooftop solar panels on community buildings.

A meeting was held at Westerleigh village hall for residents to air their views on Tuesday.

South Gloucestershire councillor Chris Willmore, who attended the event, said: "This is not yet a planning application, so there is still time to try to shape what the developers want to do.

"If residents didn't get a chance to feed back face to face at the meeting it's really important they do so online.

"This scheme will be visible from homes in Shire Way, will come right up to Wapley Bushes Nature Reserve and Sargent's bridge plus the stream in Robin Way and the pond in Lilliput Park drain from the proposed Mousewell Farm site - so they will be affected.   "I would urge everyone to have a look at the plans and give their feedback.  "It would also be helpful if residents told Dodington Parish Council what they think, as most of the  sites are in Dodington - and Dodington Parish Council will be feeding in views and need to know what residents think."

Ben Kwok, development project manager at RWE, said: "We're looking forward to sharing our initial plans for Mousewell Solar Farm with the local community, answering peoples' questions and understanding their views.

"Solar power is now one of the cheapest forms of energy generation and these proposals also include a battery energy storage system to ensure that no energy is wasted, helping to further reduce energy bills and provide on-demand services to the national grid."

As well as supporting South Gloucestershire Council's aim to become carbon neutral by 2030, these proposals will help meet the national targets set out in the government's Energy Security Plan which aim to increase solar power deployment nearly fivefold by 2035.

To find out more and share your views visit - tinyurl.com/374uw5f2  

You can also call 0800 148 8911 or info@mousewellsolarfarm.co.uk to ask a question about the plans.

The deadline for feedback is Tuesday, March 5.