PLANS for a new solar farm in Bournemouth Airport's flight path are to go before councillors next month - but questions have been raised over air passengers' safety.

Proposals for the site at Woodtown Farm south of Christchurch Road in West Parley have been submitted to East Dorset District Council.

If given the green light, the solar farm, planned by developers Woodtown Solar Ltd, would cover a 7.46 hectare site for a temporary duration of 35 years, after which the land would be returned to its existing use of turf cultivation or agriculture.

And while safety bosses at Bournemouth Airport initially strongly objected to the proposals - claiming such panels would cause "unacceptable levels of solar glare to aircraft" - their complaints have now been conditionally withdrawn.

A safeguarding officer from the airport wrote in a reply to the council during consultation: "The development has been examined against the aerodrome safeguarding criteria and due to the location of the array calculations show that the development would cause unacceptable levels of solar glare to aircraft operating in and out of Bournemouth Airport.

"The effect on operations is pronounced and severe throughout the year, making aircraft operations unsafe if the development was to go ahead.

"As a result Bournemouth Airport objects to the proposal on the grounds of air safety."

But this week, a spokesperson from the airport confirmed that the objection is to be withdrawn if a series of conditions can be met.

“Although we had some initial concerns, a comprehensive ‘glint and glare’ study has now been undertaken and its results have been verified by an independent expert," she said.

"As a result, certain conditions have been asked to be placed on the proposed solar farm.

"This will ensure that pilots and air traffic control will not be affected by any glare from the panels and we have, therefore, conditionally withdrawn our objection."

Councillors from West Parley Parish Council also strongly objected to the plans, and a letter sent to the district council from the group reads: "The development is in green belt and the cumulative effect of recently-installed solar farms has a huge impact on the area around West Parley.

"The proliferation of such farms needs to be constrained to prevent the erosion of all the green belt around the parish. Not only this, but the field is believed to be of archaeological importance, with historical finds each time the ground is excavated."

The airport is based 720 metres to the east of the planned solar farm site.

If accepted by councillors, the 'low impact' farm will be built in green belt land.

The application will go before the district council's planning committee on September 15.