A PROPOSAL to build one of Britain's biggest solar energy farms in North Cornwall has sparked concern among neighbouring residents.

A German-backed company wants to install 24,000 photovoltaic panels on 44 acres of farming land at North Petherwin, near Launceston, as part of a so-called solar gold rush in Cornwall.

Comments on the application for land at Winsdon Farm, Brazzacott, which is owned by Joseph Paynter, father of Cornwall councillor for the area Adam Paynter, have to be submitted by tomorrow (Thursday).

Many objectors attended a meeting of North Petherwin Parish Council on Wednesday when members voted narrowly, 4-3, to recommend that planning permission should not be granted.

The parish council says there is not enough detail in the application, especially with regard to how the energy generated would be connected to the national grid.

They are worried about the possibility of pylons, disruption during any building work and damage to the narrow country roads by construction vehicles.

The matter will come before Cornwall Council's strategic planning committee in the new year when it will take the parish's views into account, but are not bound by them.

Developers want to take advantage of subsidies, but there are concerns that rural areas could be ruined by fields of solar panels.

A much smaller site at the old Wheal Jane tin mine, near Truro, already has consent, while Cornwall Council is looking at a large area around Newquay airport.

Construction work at North Petherwin would take up to three months and involve at least 600 40-tonne lorry movements.

Resident Dorie Vincent said that no details had been provided about the transfer of electricity over 33,000 volt cables for at least 1.5 miles.

Another resident said that the kit is made and installed by Germans, and the landowner will receive £1,000 an acre as opposed to £400 as a farmer.

Bill Andrews claimed major climate change presented society with a moral issue.

"We need to do something to solve this.

"Over its lifetime the scheme will pay back."

Parish council chairman Peter Hurford read submissions from Kronos stating that Western Power has not yet confirmed where it will connect the supplies to the national grid, although it is assumed it will be underground.

A Kronos spokesman in Germany told the Cornish Guardian that the panels would be 2.2 metres high: "A solar farm is an extremely eco-friendly way to produce energy, and the lifetime of the farm is expected to be longer than 30 years."

Adam Paynter said he would be declaring an interest and taking no part in discussions on the matter at Cornwall Council.