A councillor has objected to a planning application for a solar farm near two East Hampshire villages.

Cllr Phillip Davies, who represents Binsted, Bentley and Selborne on East Hampshire District Council, is concerned about Conrad Energy’s Chilberry solar farm proposal for land at Cakers Lane in East Worldham and Selborne Road in Selborne.

On Sunday, Cllr Davies told the Herald: “Over the last two weeks I have met a number of very concerned residents, walked the area and read the application in detail.

“Last week, ahead of the changes to how planning decisions are delegated, I wrote to the planning officer to ask that the application is decided by East Hampshire District Council's planning committee, with a site visit, rather than by officers alone.

“This weekend I submitted my formal comments to East Hampshire District Council, objecting to the proposal in its current form.”

Traditionally solar panels were fitted to roofs, but converting fields from growing crops or raising cattle to harvesting the sun’s rays has been a popular way to make more money out of farmland while creating renewable energy.

Cllr Davies added: “I believe tackling climate change is the most important issue we face today, and I do not object to solar in principle.

“We must move to cleaner, more secure power, both to tackle climate change and because, in today's uncertain world, reliable local energy matters for our national security and resilience.

“But this scheme, in its current form, is industrial in scale and would be devastating for the landscape between Alton and Farringdon. It would be the fifth solar scheme within about two miles, covering together around 630 acres.”

The application can be viewed on the East Hampshire District Council planning portal under reference EHDC-26-1085-FUL and comments can be made until November 10.

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

To see more planning applications in your area visit publicnoticeportal.uk