DESPITE over 30 objections, plans for a solar farm earmarked for a field in a village near Llanidloes have been approved by Powys county planners.

The application which was lodged with Powys County Council in January is by Colin Powell.

Mr Powell wants to place ground mounted solar panels at farmland south of Plas Trannon, the field is between housing estates in Trefeglwys.

The site is in a flood zone and the river Trannon flows just 15 metres away from the field.

The scheme would also include an electricity substation and all “associated works” and would produce 0.6 megawatts (MW) of electricity a year.

Planning agent Gerallt Davies of Roger Parry and partners said the site has been chosen as it is “well located” to receive sunlight in a flat landscape that is “free” of features that could overshadow the field.

The report by planning officer Rhian Griffiths said that 38 “representations” had been sent to the council during the consultation period, 33 of which had been objections, four had been in support and one was “neutral.”

Concerns raised by objectors included: how close the site is to homes, risk of damaging property in the event of a storm, loss of view and solar panel reflection, risk of raising flood levels in the village and lack of community benefit.

However, Powys County Councillor for the village, Plaid Cymru’s Cllr Gary Mitchell has backed the proposal.

Cllr Mitchell said: “I am in l support of the application.

“The land has some constraints, and the revisions made have worked around them.

“I am supportive of greener energy installations, where they are at the right scale and in the right locations.”

Ms Griffith explained in her report that the objections had been rebutted point for point.

Ms Griffith said: “It is noted that concerns have been raised in relation to the proposal increasing the flood risk at neighbouring properties.

“Given the nature of the development, being mainly comprised of solar panels, it is considered that flood water would pass freely amongst the site, without being displaced.

“Overall, whilst the proposal will be visible from public vantage points, with the inclusion of soft landscaping proposed within the planning statement it is not considered that the development would result in any unacceptable detrimental landscape impact.”

She added that Mr Davies had told her that the land would still be used to graze livestock when the solar panels are in place.

Due to this the agricultural use of the land would not be lost, said Ms Griffiths.

Ms Griffiths concluded here report by saying the application is: “approved.”

Before the development can be built a further sustainable drainage scheme needs to be approved.