PLANS for Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to spend £1million installing solar panels on six council-owned buildings across the borough came under fire at a meeting this week.

The borough council’s decision-making Cabinet approved the plans on Tuesday.

At the meeting, members of the Basingstoke Energy Services Co-operative supported the proposal, but criticised the council for not approaching local businesses to see if they could install the panels instead.

Martin Heath, director of the co-op, said the approval of the plans was “excellent” but added: “There will be an investment return of five to eight per cent over an estimated 20-year life span and paid back over nine years. Surely the best businesses across Basingstoke are capable of delivering the systems?”

Eastrop councillor Gavin James welcomed the news but said there was a “lack of ambition” and more opportunities needed to be explored.

Cllr John Izett defended the plans, telling the meeting that it showed “leadership” from the council in its bid to reduce carbon emissions and the return estimate was a “cautious” prediction, adding: “I would hope it is regarded generally as positive news.”