PLANS to build a 178-acre solar farm in the Hampshire countryside have been given the green light.

Test Valley councillors voted almost unanimously to approve the scheme at Woodington Farm in Wellow.

The solar farm, which will be one of the biggest in the country, will – it is claimed – provide power for around 9,000 homes.

During the planning meeting civic leaders expressed the need for renewable energy.

“This site could power Romsey and even Wellow; that can only be a good thing in my book,” said Valley Park councillor Alan Dowden.

“Quite frankly we will not have oil forever and need to replace our power source with renewable energy.”

In the past two years, several other solar farms have been given planning permission, on appeal, in the area.

One of those is a 91-acre site to the west of the A3057 towards Southampton.

The largest solar park in the UK is housed in Dorset. It produces power for 60,000 homes from a 310-acre site

However, it was confirmed at the meeting that the Wellow site, which will be almost double the size of its Romsey Extra cousin, will only be operational for 25 years, before the panels are taken down and the area is turned back into agricultural land.

Nevertheless, three councillors voted against the plans, with one objection being the loss of “good quality land”.

Liberal Democrat councillor Peter Hurst said he was unconvinced the land would be changed back after the 25-year time period expires.

“[If I was the applicant] in 25 years time I would be reapplying again for another 25 years with the latest equipment,” he added.

“[Applications] will keep coming at us until every blade of grass is covered in these things. To approve on the basis that the appeal will go against us is ridiculous.”

Also included in the scheme is the installation of deer fencing around the site, CCTV cameras and a substation.

The land within the perimeter fencing would also be managed by sheep grazing.

The owners of Woodington Training Centre, a neighbouring horse stables, were in favour. Morris Ashley said: “The five-mile bridleway included in the plan will hopefully bring horses off the road in the area.

“This will be an advantage to both riders and motorists and will help to combat horse deaths.”