A PROPOSAL to build a solar farm on the outskirts of a market town will be the focus of an information session to gauge public support.

Lightsource Renewable Energy is looking to build the 23 acre project on land at Woodhouse Farm, Middlesbrough Road, Guisborough, just off the A171.

Although the scheme is at the early stages of planning, the company is looking for input from local residents.

Conor McGuigan, planning and development director at Lightsource, said: “Solar farms are able to produce both clean energy and food simultaneously. This is largely due to the fact that the infrastructure of the solar farm actually takes up less than 30 per cent of the allocated area, leaving the rest of the space as open grassland.

“Consequently, small livestock, such as sheep, chickens and geese, can be easily accommodated on site. It’s this ability to have a dual-use of land that makes solar energy such a viable prospect for our future energy needs.”

If approved, the scheme would be capable of generating enough clean, renewable energy to power 1,300 homes, according to the company.

The solar panels stand at 2.5m high so the existing trees and hedgerows in and around the site will be retained and managed as part of the project and the company will also be looking to enhance the surrounding vegetation where needed.

There should be no views into the solar farm from properties in Guisborough and there will be limited views from the footpath to the north of the site, however new planting of native species will help to minimise any of these potential views, according to the company.

Mr McGuigan added: “This project presents a great chance for the local community to get involved and we would welcome ideas from local people to help refine the plans for the site. We would also encourage anyone who can’t attend the community event to visit our website where the plans can be viewed and suggestions for the proposals can be put forward.”

The company is looking for residents to have an input into the initial design of the site, as well as trying to encourage local companies and contractors to get involved.

Residents wishing to view the initial proposal in more detail or make suggestions to the Lightsource Planning team can visit www.lightsource-re.co.uk, click ‘In-House Planning’ and type the site name “Guisborough” into the search box. An online feedback form is also available on the page.

The company is holding the community information session at Sunnyfield House, Westgate, between 5.30pm and 8pm on Thursday, April 2.