MORE than 300 people have signed a petition against plans for a solar farm in the Worcestershire countryside.

An online petition has gathered support from 343 people who all object to plans for a photovoltaic solar farm on farmland to the south-east of Woodhall Farm, near Wichenford.

The proposal involves the erection of rows of panels over an area covering 69 hectares and it is envisaged that the site will generate approximately 45 megawatts of energy.

A date is yet to be set for when the application — made to Malvern Hills District Council by Kronos Solar Projects GmbH — will be considered.

Councillor Richard Udall, ward councillor for St John's in Worcester, is one of around 50 people who have formally objected to the plans.

He said: "In normal circumstances a solar park is something I would have preferred to support. We do need to examine alternative forms of energy and a new solar park could help to achieve less reliance on fossil fuels. However, this time I am forced to object because of concerns being expressed to me by St John’s residents in Solitaire Avenue and Brookside Road. In 2007 they suffered terrible flooding from Laugherne Brook and many residents were out of their homes for months. This new application has raised fears about surface water drainage into the brook which after heavy rain could cause more serious flooding downstream in St John’s.

"As well as this, many local people are employed in farming and agriculture and removing such land is a serious risk to the future of the industry. The land in question should really be producing food for people to eat."

Other letters of objection raised concerns about the visual impact on the area.

However, Makan Yarandi, acting project manager, told your Worcester News in January that the site was “carefully selected”.

“Due to geographical conditions and screening by vegetation, the visual impact is minimal. In addition, we will introduce new planting of trees and hedges.”

“The site is located on agricultural land which is of low land grade value, and it is intended to be grazed by sheep once it is operational.”