Plans to build new solar farm near to Wickford

A screening request for the proposals has been submitted to Chelmsford Council to see if they meet with environmental standards.

A site the size of nearly 50 football pitches at Frelins Farm, in Rectory Lane, near Wickford, is being targeted by the developers behind the proposal.

The solar farm would potentially provide power to 9,660 homes for up to 40 years.

Solar panels would be mounted onto metal frames no higher than three metres tall and the planning documents say there would still be space for agricultural activity to continue on the site.

CCTV would be installed in 50 metre intervals along a fence that would go around the site, while small buildings would be built to house substations, communication equipment, batteries and provide storage space.

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The applicants say there would be no health impact to nearby residents and that inverter fans based on the site would only operate in the daytime to avoid noise issues.

Construction work is expected to last around six months and all traffic related to the scheme would only be able to access the site in the daytime.

Chelmsford Council will provide a response to the screening opinion but a formal application will need to be submitted first for full planning permission to be granted.