Plans for a 67-hectare solar farm east of Melksham – the biggest in the county – have been sent to Wiltshire Council.

Sandridge Solar Power has applied for permission for the solar panel development on farmland south of Sand-ridge Hill. It would meet 10 per cent of the county’s renewable energy targets.

Under the proposal community groups would be eligible for an annual £40,000 grant when the farm is open.

The plans will be discussed by Melksham Without Parish Council’s planning committee on Monday. Now Cllr Terry Chivers, who also sits on Wiltshire Council, has ‘called in’ the plan for a decision to be made by the county authority.

He said: “I felt that something as big as that really ought to go to the planning committee.

“I have written to everybody in my ward who is affected by it – from Sandridge Common to Sandridge Hill – and only had three responses, so I don’t think there is a big swell of opinion against it.”

The plans have been opposed by Seend-based Wake up Wiltshire, which campaigns against solar developments in the county.

Co-ordinator Jack Chur-chill said: “Our village is now faced with 505 acres of solar farm within five miles. I don’t think there is any other village in the UK as badly affected. We have written to our MP, Claire Perry, various Government ministers and even the Prime Minister, and some of our group will definitely be along on Monday.

“The people of Seend are going to be the most affected by this, as anyone out for a walk or a ride is suddenly going to be faced with an unprecedented development so close to so many villages.”

Melksham Without Parish Council will meet in the Crown Chambers in Melk-sham’s Market Place at 7pm on Monday. Members of the public are welcome to give their views.