PLANS will be revealed tomorrow (FRI) for the third solar farm in the Winchester district.

The public will have the chance to see what Beta Solar propose for farmland between Alresford and Bishop’s Sutton.

They want to erect 52,000 panels on some 48 acres of land across two fields. In a letter to local residents URS planning consultants says it would provide 12 megawatts of power enough for 6,000 households.

A spokesman for URS said if approved they expected consent to be for 25 to 30 years.

He added: “The site will help generate much needed clean electricity and is well tucked away with good natural screening which we will further enhance. The site is also close to an existing substation on ideal topography outside of any statutory land designations. This creates a great site which is not very common, especially in Hampshire.”

This is the third solar farm planned near Winchester, following others at Tichborne and Itchen Abbas.

But it is likely to be controversial. Local city councillor Harry Verney said: “I’m surprised it covers such a large area. I would have thought it will be very ugly, extremely prominent and unpopular.”

Aileen Miller, chairman of Bishop’s Sutton Parish Council, said villagers were unhappy about the lack of information and an “obscure” site map initially provided.

“It is too early to say our views until we have had the consultation. But there are a lot of rumblings in the village. There is great concern as it is very good farmland,” said Mrs Miller.

The URS spokesman said: “Initial responses have been positive and Beta Solar are committed to being responsible developers during the construction and operation of the solar farm.”

The land, north of Whitehill Lane is owned by Bill Coles, a former Fleet Street reporter and author, whose family also farm Western Court Farm. The Daily Echo understands the land will continue to be grazed by sheep if the panels are installed.

The exhibition will be at Alresford Community Centre between Noon and 4pm and then at Bishop’s Sutton Village Hall, 6-9pm.

* Meanwhile the 200-acre solar farm at Broughton near Stockbridge continues to be controversial.

Residents have formed Broughton Against Kronos Solar to fight a proposal by Kronos Solar to construct the Eveley Solar Farm within one mile of their village.

If it goes ahead they say it will contain 225,000 panels covering over 200 acres and turn attractive and productive countryside into an industrial site.

At a meeting in Broughton village hall on Monday night a largely hostile audience of around 80 people bombarded executives from Kronos with questions.

A formal planning application is expected to be made by Kronos within the next few weeks.