RESIDENTS viewed plans for a £6million solar farm at a public exhibition.

They took a closer look at the scheme to install thousands of solar panels across two fields on the outskirts of Weymouth.

Wessex Solar Energy invited people to have their say on proposals to install 75,000 thin film solar panels or 25,000 crystalline panels on land off Nottington Lane.

Proposals found mixed reactions from more than 25 residents who attended the exhibition held at Willowbed Hall in Chickerell.

They submitted feedback which will be reviewed before a final planning application is submitted to West Dorset District Council.

Johnny Wearmouth, son of John Wearmouth, both of Wessex Solar Energy, said: “The initiative would provide energy to around 1,200 homes in Chickerell.

“It fits in with government objectives which say large energy companies should use set amounts of renewable energy.”

He added: “Our company sells the green energy to such companies who distribute to nearby homes.”

David Rolfe and his wife Meg, who live in Buckland Ripers, said they were concerned.

Mr Rolfe said: “I think it seems ridiculous. People come to our county for its beauty, not to see fields of solar panels.

“Just to power a few homes we need thousands of them. We would have to cover the whole country in them to power Dorset alone.

“At the end of the day Wessex Solar Energy are looking to make money, not to benefit the environment and it isn’t even providing energy to a lot of homes.

“Profit and greed rule.”

The company plans suggest that there will be no significant impact on the environment or to traffic noise – with the worst noise levels arising during construction.

Robert Lasseter, a nearby working farmer and NFU County Chairman, said: “It is a really good idea. Dorset is the perfect area to be cultivated for this kind of green energy.

“It is really low impact and they are going to grow hedges around the field so it can’t be seen from Nottington Lane or the B3157.”

West Dorset District Councillor Elaine Whyte, who represents Chickerell ward, said: “I am interested in forms of alternative energy, so as long as the project is sensitive to residents and is constructed in a favourable manner I am in favour of the solar farm.”

The panels would be no more than 3.5 metres high and have a life of 25 years. A planning decision will involve a consultation with such bodies as the Environment Agency and Natural England.

Other residents approached by the Echo said they had mixed feelings about the proposals and had formed no definite opinions.

Government backing schemes

WESSEX Solar Energy is a renewable energy developer with plans to develop solar parks across the UK.

Johnny Wearmouth, of Wessex Solar Energy, said: “We have just got planning permission for two solar farms in Devon and one in Somerset. Construction will begin on these in the next couple of months. We are planning to build solar farms in the south-west with the plans for Nottington Lane being the next on the agenda.”

A government initiative rewards different kinds of renewable energy projects with a guaranteed income for all electricity generated.