AN UPMARKET wedding venue in Rochford has taken a step towards a greener future with its plan to install 112 solar panels on its grounds.

The application was for six rows of solar panels, standing 1.5m over almost 475 sq m, in the grounds of The Lawn, on Lawn Hall Road, Rochford.

The Lawn’s Grade II listed manor house, set in three acres of landscaped gardens and more than 100 acres of parkland, offers event hosting of all kinds, but racks up a four-figure electricity bill each month.

The application was approved at a meeting of Rochford District Council’s development committee last week.

Concerns were raised in the meeting over the possibility of the panels being visible to passing motorists and planes, but Southend Airport bosses had no complaints about the panels.