THE developers of a solar park near Andover have applied to extend the length of a previously agreed planning permission for another 15 years.

Abbotts Ann Farm Solar Park, near Goodworth Clatford, had an application granted in January 2015, allowing the building of solar panels on a field approximately 15 hectares in size.

Permission was initially granted for the development to remain in place for 25 years, after which it would be “decommissioned” with the site returned to its previous use as agricultural land.

However an additional application has now been submitted to increase the duration of the project to 40 years.

The application states: “Solar panels themselves have been shown to be capable of a longer operating than the 25-year warranty period typically offered by manufacturers.

“The solar farm is therefore anticipated to be able to function effectively over a longer period than the original time limit, and the subsequent removal and restoration of the site – already subject to a commitment of full funding by the owners – will be quick and leave very little trace, so that the land can be returned to agricultural or other use without delay.”

It adds that “solar panels do not cause material or long-term damage to the agricultural land on which they are situated” because they comprise “mainly lightweight structures and fixings that can be easily assembled, disassembled and removed.”

The initial application faced opposition from a number of members of the public, with both the Upper Clatford and Goodworth Clatford parish councils lodging objections to the plans.

Goodworth Clatford Parish Council has since confirmed with the Advertiser that the more recent planning application will be an agenda item on its forthcoming planning committee meeting, to be held on Monday, October 21.

For more information and to view the application in full go to www.testvalley.gov.uk/planning-and-building/viewplanningapplicationsonline and search using the reference number 19/02397/VARN.