CONCERNS have been raised over plans by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust for a solar farm in the Cotswold Water Park.

The application, in conjunction Bath and West Communtiy Energy Ltd, for the 4,186-panel installation at Sandpool Farm in Poole Keynes was discussed at last week’s meeting of Cotswold District Council’s planning committee.

Members said they were concerned about the impact the array would have on the natural environment and the appearance of the area. Each panel would be around 1.6x0.9 metres and generate enough energy to power 1,000 homes for an hour.

Planning officer Clive Baker said he believed the panels could better be sited at a location away from public view.

"I understand that two solar panel experts have objected to the application saying this is just the sort of development which gives the industry a bad name," he said.

The application was deferred so that planning members could visit the site.