PLANS for a huge solar farm on green belt land off the A35 will go before the public today.

A public consultation on the proposals for the solar farm near Lytchett Minster will take place on Tuesday afternoon - with some residents raising concerns.

The scheme from renewable energy company Green Nation, will cover 54 acres, an area of six fields located next to the A35 between Lytchett Minster and Upton.

A statement on the companies website, said: “The solar farm will make a significant contribution towards the push for net zero.

“It will consist of panels laid out in rows running east to west with a maximum height of 2.8 metres, and will connect to the grid through a short underground cable to the Lytchett Minster BSP substation.

“The land on the solar farm will also be used as pasture for sheep grazing.”

Resident Maureen Skinner has concerns about the solar farm which would be placed in a field at the end of her garden.

Maureen would live directly opposite the south facing solar farm with the panels facing her house.

She knows of at least three other local residents who would also be living next to the farm.

Maureen said: “I have lived here for 40 years, I am 82 years of age and if this solar farm goes ahead, it will ruin my life.”

Maureen said: “I am worried as it will only directly affect a small number of residents that our worries will fall on deaf ears, I hope that the public can help. I am heartbroken.”

Maureen received a leaflet in the post notifying her of the solar farm and the public consultation last Thursday (January 13).

She said everyone in the BH16 postcode was supposed to receive a leaflet but that she knows locals in Lytchett Minster who have not received one and were unaware of the public consultation.

Councillor Andrew Starr said: "I'm in favour because we are living through a global warming crisis and I'm sure most people are in favour of more green energy but it's got to go somewhere and I think this particular site is going to be a good site.

"I don't think it will be virtually visible at all, only from the bit over the dual carriageway but other than that I don't think it will be particularly visible, but I haven't been to the presentation yet.

"Personally I don't think it's a particularly bad use of the green belt because if technology changes the panels are very easy to remove because they're basically on spikes in the ground, there's no concrete involved in the actual panels only the two buildings where the batteries will go, so I think its a relatively light touch, it won't be as visible as a wind farm.

"At the moment, I think it's a good idea but I haven't seen the presentation yet."

Councillor Bill Pipe said he was keeping an open mind and would be attending the presentation.

The public consultation event will take place at Upton Social Club, New Hall Courtneys Yd, Poole Road between 2pm and 7pm.

Green Nation will then aim to submit a planning application in March 2022, once they have received local feedback and made any necessary adjustments to the proposal.

The Daily Echo have contacted Green Nation for further comment.