RESIDENTS are concerned about the impact a solar panel farm the size of 15 football pitches will have on their village.

Last week a public meeting was called by residents of Sulhamstead and Burghfield Common to discus the impact of a proposed solar farm to the local and surrounding areas.

Mulbrick Clean Energy LLP has applied to install approximately 17,820 solar panels on land to the north and south of Stud Farm, Sulhamstead Abbots.

The earmarked site is roughly the size of 15 football pitches, measuring 11.15 hectares and would have a peak capacity of 5MW, which would power approximately 1,000 homes.

John Honeysett, Burghfield Common resident, said: "Many concerns were raised ranging from vandalism and theft from the site to the increase in localised traffic from maintenance personnel.

"What has come out of the meeting was the concern for the visual impact the solar farm would have on what is locally regarded as an agricultural environment which hasn't been changed dating back, I believe, to the 17th Century.

"The proposed site backs onto part of an ancient wood and water course."

He added: "There are residents that are going to be over looking at the south field. It is going to be intrusive . I think there is going to be three immediate properties that will overlook it."

Twenty car parking spaces, an electrical substation and a 2m high wire fence are also proposed for the site, which is currently used for grazing.

Mr Honeysett said that he is not against renewable energy and is an advocate of solar farms and wind turbines, but he thinks there are more appropriate sites for the proposal.

He said: "I am a bit of a techy myself and I totally agree we need extra alternative power generators, something like the wind turbine on the M4, I think is great. But this is just in a totally inappropriate place.

"Currently the proposal is on a white site, which is marked as an agricultural site. I think there are plenty of brown field sites around the area, including barn roofs which could accommodate solar panels."

The applicant said: “From the land owner’s perspective, a low yielding field can continue with its current use while providing a diverse, secure and stable additional income stream allowing for reinvestment in to the local economy."

Representatives from the group will be speaking at Burghfield Common Parish Council on Thursday 10 September at Burghfield Village Hall at 7.45pm.

For more information view application,15/02148/COMIND on West Berkshire Council's website.