A NEW solar park could be built on land in rural Hampshire, with the firm behind the plans saying it could power 9,100 homes.

Hive Energy has filed plans to build the new facility in East Wellow near Romsey, and they will go before parish councillors later this month.

The firm, which already operates a similar solar park on land in Tavells Lane, Marchwood, says it would be surrounded by trees and hedges to minimise its visual impact.

But some residents have objected to the plans saying that it would have a “large” visual impact and querying the firm’s commitment to improving biodiversity in the area.

If the proposals are approved, the 72 hectare site would be developed to feature an array of solar panels that could generate up to 40MW of renewable energy.

On a website set up to showcase the plans, Hive Energy says: “A solar park at Woodington Farm would be set well back from homes, farms and businesses and enclosed by hedges, trees and woodland, so we’re confident that views of the park would be minimal."

“We’ve carefully assessed the views towards the site from the surrounding area, including from St Margaret’s Church, and views of the solar park will be difficult to make out as there is a large amount of natural screening surrounding Woodington Farm.

“Pre-application consultation with Historic England and Hampshire County Archaeologist and Conservation Officers confirms that there would be no adverse effects upon this Listed building.”

It also says it would create public access to 12 hectares of woodland, create new walks and trails, conservation areas and up to five miles of bridleways around the site.

However the plans have not proven popular with all residents, with East Wellow resident Anthony Fiske objecting to the plans and urging the borough council to reject them.

He argues that visual impact would be “consequentially large”, that the proposed bridleways would benefit “the few horse riders who live in the vicinity” and that there is “no evidence” that Hive Energy’s suggestions would improve biodiversity.

The proposals are set to go before Wellow Parish Council’s planning and general purposes committee at its next meeting at 6.45pm on December 17, at the scout headquarters in Canada Road.

Test Valley Borough Council planning chiefs are then set to make a final decision on the plans by February 16.

Hive Energy is carrying out its own consultation with residents, who can have their say online at www.woodingtonfarmsolarpark.co.uk