Major solar farm plans for village countryside

Plans have been announced to build a large solar farm capable of powering thousands of homes on countryside near a village in Leicestershire.

According to planning documents, the 200-acre site on fields near Freeby, near Melton Mowbray, could provide energy to about 10,000 homes annually for 40 years.

Concerns were raised during a public consultation over the visual impact of the farm, temporary loss of agricultural land, road safety and the risk of fire from batteries being stored at the site.

Downing Renewable Developments, which submitted the plans to Melton Borough Council, said "where appropriate" it had made revisions to the application to address the concerns.

If approved, the solar farm, which would be situated east of Freeby Lane, would include a substation and battery storage, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The renewable energy company said land underneath and between the sections of solar panels would be used to boost biodiversity in the area and to allow sheep to graze.

It also said it would plant "additional woodland" and trees around the site.

The council is due to make a decision on the proposal by 29 April.

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