The BBC reports that a solar farm designed to power up to 10,000 Somerset homes is to be built near protected countryside in Dorset

Elgin Energy has got permission to construct the solar farm in North Perrott, near Crewkerne.

South Somerset District Council has approved the proposals, arguing the solar farm's impact can be mitigated.

But the Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) said the site is the wrong location and has called for a delay on the plans.

Elgin intends to occupy the site for at least the next three decades.

It is close to the northern edge of the Dorset Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and is deemed good quality land, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

While the actual solar site lies mostly within Somerset, the primary access for maintenance and construction will be from the Dorset side, off the A356 in neighbouring village South Perrott.

The 32MW solar installation would cover some 54 hectares (around 133 acres) and would be operational for 30 years - though this could be extended later.

Councillor Oliver Patrick, whose Parrett ward includes the site, said his constituents were widely supportive of the plan when the council's regulation committee met in Yeovil on Tuesday.

Full article:

The BBC - Somerset solar farm designed to power 10,000 homes approved

CPRE, the countryside charity are members of the Rural Services Network.  You can find out more about them here.