CONTROVERSIAL plans for a 19,600 panel solar farm in Gisburn have been given the green light.

Applicant Solar Park Developments 5 Ltd had plans to install a solar farm the size of more than 15 football pitches on land in Coal Pit Lane, approved by Ribble Valley Council – despite concerns from redsidents.

The plans will cover around 11.26 hectares and would generate around 19,000MHh per year which could sustain the electricity requirements of 1,500 homes.

Many neighbours said they were unhappy with the council’s decision.

Nigel Evans, Ribble Valley MP, said he was bitterly disappointed by the news.

He said: “I added sorry the residents have not had their voices listened to.

“People come to live and visit the Ribble Valley to see the green countryside, not to look at black glass.”

Solar Park Developments 5 Ltd says the solar farm would result in a CO2 reduction of approximately 10,520 tonnes a year.

David Walters a parish councillor said he was devastated at the decision.

He said: “I’m disappointed the council are happy to go ahead in ruining the countryside by putting up 19,600 solar panels.

“I don’t think the council has properly taken into account the opinion of people in the area.”

The panels will be situated in three fields and are expected to last for 25 years with the land returning to agricultural use.

In a statement to the council on behalf of the applicant, a spokesman from ADAS UK said: “The development at Coal Pit Lane would make a significant contribution towards national and regional renewable energy targets.

“It would improve the biodiversity on the site, provide a period of rest for the intensively farmed agricultural land and involve enhancement of existing landscape features such as hedgerows and trees.

Mr Walters said: “It comes in contrast regarding failure to give approval of solar panels to bungalows in the area which would help with fuel poverty.”

Mr Evans said: “David is right, the policy needs to be reviewed about putting the panels on houses and not in fields.”