COUNCILLORS have given their backing to a huge new solar farm near the Somerset-Wiltshire border - which one fearing it could prove to be a ‘reckless’ decision.

Low Carbon UK Solar Investment put forward proposals for a new solar farm on the B3109 Bradford Road near Rode, a few miles north-east of Frome.

The solar farm (dubbed ‘Bluebell Wood’) could provide enough power for one-third of all homes in the former Mendip area, or around six per cent of all properties in Somerset.

The council’s planning committee east voted to defer a decision on the proposals in early-May to allow for a site visit, after concerns were raised about the safety of access routes into the site.

The committee has now granted permission for the new solar farm after these concerns were assuaged – with the new Labour government promising to push for greater financial contributions to communities which host solar farms.

The solar farm will be able to generate nearly 50MW of energy, with a battery energy storage facility being installed on site to store the energy during times of low demand and sell it back to the National Grid at peak times.

The solar farm and battery storage site will be operational for 40 years.

Since the plans were previously considered, the developer has amended the proposals so that the narrow Monkley Lane will no longer be used for construction traffic, following concerns over safety.

Shaun Freeman, who lives on Monkley Lane, told the committee when it met on July 11: “The revised plans disrespect and ignore our requests. The footprint is still two-and-a-half times that of the village.

“The location of the battery storage site is unsafe, being too close to the houses on Monkley Lane.

“To grant permission in these circumstances would be reckless.”

Mary Comley, from the Mendip Byways and Bridleways Association, said the plans represented an improvement but did not go far enough regarding the access arrangements.

She said: “We’re very relieved to learn that common sense has prevailed and Monkley Lane will not be used during the construction phase of the solar site.

“However, we’re still very concerned that the access road within the site is planned to be only a temporary measure. Forty years is a very long time to assume that nothing major will go wrong with any of this kit.”

After more than 90 minutes’ debate, the committee voted to approve the plans by six votes to one, with one abstention.