Terrified’ residents have blasted plans for a ‘huge’ solar farm the size of 80 football pitches right next to their £400,000 homes, claiming it will ‘ruin’ their views and that developers ‘should go elsewhere’.
Lower Wyke Solar Farm is hoping to provide annual electricity for 7,252 family homes using the energy produced at the 86-acre site in the picturesque country village of Picket Piece near Andover, Hampshire.
The scheme is expected to lead to a reduction of more than 256,000 tonnes of CO2, according to British Solar Renewables (BSR), who are behind the project.
But locals say the ‘bonkers’ plans will cover ‘productive’ farmland with hordes of panels which they argue will ruin biodiversity and cause glare from the sun.
They also slammed ‘non-existent consultation’ meaning they were unaware of the proposals on the land, which is classed as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).