A HUGE solar farm covering over 150 acres of countryside is being proposed by a power company which is calling on local people to tell them what they think of the plans.

The scheme by Lightrock Power is proposed for land off Low Street between Leeming Bar and Scruton, near Bedale. The hundreds of panels would provide enough electricity to power 15,000 homes or charge 19,000 vehicles for a year.

The company has sent out letters to local people outlining what the scheme will look like and how it will operate and asking for their reaction.

It says it wants to hear what local people have to say and are aiming to put in a planning application to Hambleton District Council in the spring.

The nine feet high solar panels will be set out in rows, alongside a new grid connection which will give access to the network. Entrances to the site would be off Low Street.

Chris Sowerbutts, founder and director of Lightrock says the Leeming Solar Farm would save more than 21,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

He added: “This is an excellent site for solar; it gets lots of sunshine, is well screened, and has good access. We’re also really pleased that we can connect on site to the local electricity network, meaning minimum disruption to the local community.

"The Leeming Solar Farm will help the UK meet its 2050 net zero targets. We have now written to residents inviting them to find out more about the project and provide feedback.

"The consultation runs from January 11 to February 8 and an online exhibition detailing the plans is available on the Leeming Solar Farm website.

“Lightrock Power is a small and experienced team based in offices around the UK.

"We develop solar farms across the country and have delivered a number of successful operational projects. We focus on schemes that can be sensitively designed into the landscape, helping meet national and local authority renewable energy targets.

"We want to make a difference and are passionate about doing the right thing for our planet, communities and natural habitats.”

As part of the scheme the company says it has plans to enhance bio diversity on the site by installing bird and bat boxes and improving local flora using native seed mixes to attract bees and other insects.

To look at an outline of what the scheme will involve and to comment go to www.leemingsolarfarm.com

If the firms gets the go ahead, it hopes the solar farm will be up and running by the end of the year.