ANGRY residents are to fight plans by an energy company to almost double the size of its controversial solar farm on the outskirts of Bodmin.
The new scheme by Solar Securities at Middle Bodiniel Farm, would be next to the company's existing 5MW solar farm at Lower Bodiniel Farm covering 15 hectares (37 acres) and which started producing electricity in June.
But residents in the area have already complained the panels will further blot the countryside landscape and lorries accessing the site will cause more damage to Copshorn Road, which is now riddled with potholes caused by vehicles delivering equipment to the current solar farm.
Cornwall councillor for the area, Mick Martin, said he expected to receive objections from residents and he would be attending a public meeting on Tuesday to look at the plans.
"I'll need to look at what is proposed in detail before I decide whether or not to call the application in for it to be decided by the planning committee, but I have already heard concerns about the new solar farm proposal,'' he said.
The new site is an area of approximately 13 hectares divided into nine fields which are bounded by traditional Cornish hedgerows, which would be retained. The company says the solar farm extension will consist of rows of angled photovoltaic (PV) panels mounted on steel frames which allow room for sheep to graze between and below the rows.
Solar Securities director Nick Richardson said: "Our first installation at Lower Bodiniel Farm has been a great success so we are now considering a neighbouring site that would meet the equivalent needs of a further 1,000 homes.
"Cornwall enjoys more sun than any other part of the country and solar energy has a critical role to play in tackling climate change and creating security of energy supply, with minimal impact on the environment."
Mr Richardson said work was in hand to repair the damage caused to Copshorn Road.
"As part of our original planning consent we undertook to remediate Copshorn Road, which was inspected before and after the construction of our solar farm at Lower Bodiniel Farm," he said.
"A schedule of work has now been drawn up and agreed with the local authority. We are now just finalising the appointment of an approved contractor and expect the work to be done in the next four to six weeks.''
Local resident Paul Ellis said it was pointless repairing the road if more heavy vehicles were to bring more panels needed for the new development.
"There has been enormous concern in the area about the damage caused to the road, particularly the number of potholes which have appeared. If this application is approved, we are going to get more problems in Copshorn Road," he said.
There will be a public exhibition about the latest solar farm proposals on Tuesday, (August 7) from 2pm to 8pm at The Parish Centre, St Mary's Road, when Solar Securities will explain their outline proposals. A more detailed exhibition is planned later this year.
