A FIELD in Christchurch could soon see the county’s first solar energy farm take shape pending planning permission from the local council.

A formal proposal for the 30 acres of land next to Eco Sustainable Solutions’ Chapel Lane site, has been submitted to Christchurch borough council.

If approved, the scheme will generate enough energy to meet the electricity needs of 1,100 homes annually and will also save more than 2,530 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year.

It will be connected to the National Grid via underground cables.

Applicant Trelawney Dampney, Eco’s managing director, said: “Parley Solar Farm will be a first for Dorset, offering a low carbon, renewable energy source.

“Climate change is the biggest issue facing the world at the current time.

“The establishment of Parley Solar Farm will represent a small step towards meeting the UK government’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 20 per cent by 2020.”

Currently used for turf cultivation, the fields have been specifically chosen for their screening with established hedgerows and woodland surrounding the site.

There will be around 36,000 photovoltaic panels on the land, capable of directly converting sunlight into electrical current, which will sit on a frame and have a height of no more than 1.5 metres and will be directed south at an angle of between 30 and 35 degrees.

After the initial six months construction period, the farm will operate for up to 25 years.

A planning statement submitted with the application says the site is well placed as Dorset has some of the highest levels of solar irradiation in the country.