PLANS to create a 20 acre solar farm close to a residential area were largely welcomed by the public who scrutinised the scheme at a meeting this week.

Lightsource Renewable Energy hopes to erect dozens of raised solar panels on fields off School Aycliffe Lane, near Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.

The proposed site, opposite the Great Aycliffe Town offices, will be capable of generating about 5MWp of clean energy, enough to power 1,300 homes and save 2,200 tonnes of carbon emissions each year.

With a maximum height of 2.5 metres, the panels would be shielded by existing hedgerows and raised from the ground in rows to allow sheep to graze the field below.

Wild flowers would also be planted and bird and bat roosting boxes and log piles would be added to encourage wildlife.

At a community information event at the Xcel Centre in Newton Aycliffe on Monday (December 15) evening, the majority of residents welcomed the scheme.

Councillor Ian Gray, vice chairman of Great Aycliffe Town Council’s environment committee, said: “I’m impressed with what I’ve seen here today.

“It is an ideal, poor quality farm land next to high industry. It’s not like they are building it in Upper Teesdale.”

Trevor Sheppard, 70, said: “I think it is absolutely fantastic. I live near the site and I know in the summer you won’t see anything because of the hedges."

Another School Aycliffe resident said: “When we first heard about the solar farm it was a big shock but having come here today I feel a bit better. At least it’s not wind turbines.”

Eddy Adam, ward councillor for Aycliffe West on Durham County Council, said: “I see this as a positive contribution to the local economy and I welcome the measures they have taken to protect the environment and encourage biodiversity.”

Solar farms are becoming an increasingly popular form of renewable energy, with technological advances enabling the panels to absorb energy from daylight rather than sunlight, increasing efficiency.

Andrew Garraway, graduate planner at Lightsource, said the company hoped to submit its application by the end of the year and would start work on site next summer if it is approved.

After this a community of fund of £2,500 per year would be granted to support local projects.

“We have had some positive comments today and people seem genuinely interested in what we are proposing,” Mr Garraway added.

The public can also comment on the plans at the lightsource-re.co.uk