An application to install solar panels in a field in Eype has been submitted on behalf of Highlands End Holiday Park.

The proposal is to install 336 PV units - 200 kWp - which is designed to produce clean electricity that will provide power for the existing caravans, buildings and car charging points at Highlands End. The surplus generated electricity will initially be diverted to heat the swimming pool with the remainder exported to the national grid.

The site is off Mount Lane close to the residents' car park in the centre of the village. A path from the village up to Highlands End Holiday Park runs through the site field.

It adds that as the site is rural it has very few properties in close proximity and it's considered that none will suffer a significant loss of amenity as a result.

The site, which is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is currently agricultural land that is grazed predominantly by sheep and following the installation, the use of the paddock will remain as grazing for sheep, including under the panels.

The design and access statement reports: "The estimated CO2 saving from the proposed PV installation is approximately 44,000kg annually and is anticipated that the installation will generate around 210,000kWh of electricity per year, which would cover the approximate complete annual usage of 59 homes."

The application has received more than 20 comments, many of which oppose the siting of the solar panels stating it will be detrimental to the AONB and "a blight on the landscape", with Symondsbury Parish Council objecting to the application and recommending it is refused.

The application can be found here, number P/FUL/2021/03350.

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