THE DORSET branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England is backing residents objecting to a proposed solar farm at Mapperton.

The support from the CPRE come after objectors voiced their feelings at a presentation given by developer Good Energy to Lower Winterbourne Parish Council.

Local people opposing the plans turned out in force for the meeting, which saw revised plans go on display for the proposed solar farm on land owned by South Dorset MP Richard Drax.

Good Energy were forced to withdraw an earlier application following a legal challenge mounted by Katherine Butler, daughter of diplomat Sir Michael Butler who lived at Mapperton until his death a year ago.

The current proposals will see the size of the farm reduced from 175 acres to 106, with 90,000 solar panels covering an area equivalent to 66 football pitches.

Following the meeting Mrs Butler said: "Good Energy's representative was unable to explain convincingly why this solar farm needs to be over twice the average acreage of their other Dorset ones."

Dr David Pope, a resident of Winterborne Zelston who lives only 700 metres from the site, added: "This is a development driven by commercial gain rather than community benefit."

The Dorset branch of the CPRE has expressed support for the concerns raise.

It says it is in principle supportive of renewable energy and is not opposing the majority of solar farm applications, but claims the Mapperton scheme is in unspoilt countryside, on good arable agricultural land and protected by national and local planning policies.

It also argues that the county of Dorset has made huge strides towards meeting its 2020 Renewable energy target, with 84.9 per cent achieved thanks to the approval of 37 solar farms, without taking into account any current applications.

The CPRE claims Dorset can therefore be more selective in allocating any further sites.

David Peacock from Dorset CPRE said: "There is a need now for greater use to be made of solar panels on commercial and industrial roofs, which remain massively underutilised."

A new planning application by Good Energy is expected this month.

Good Energy claims it has listened to feedback from the initial application before drawing up the latest proposals, which see the size of the solar farm reduced by nearly 40 per cent.

The earlier planning application was actually approved by East Dorset District Council, despite the plans receiving more than 500 objections, but the legal challenge was mounted amid disagreements about planning procedures – in particular the need to complete an environmental impact assessment.

Good Energy withdrew the plans following the legal challenge.

If approved, the current scheme would generate enough clean electricity to supply 6,000 homes.