A SOLAR farm could be built on green belt land between Worcester and Droitwich after plans were put forward. 

The full planning application would see hundreds, if not thousands, of solar panels installed on­­ over 21 acres of farmland on Droitwich Road near Drury Lane in Martin Hussingtree.

The fields will also provide space for a battery storage unit onsite.

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Approving the application would see the green fields used as a solar farm for up to 40 years before being handed back to be used as was originally intended.

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Currently, the land comprises two medium-sized fields to the immediate east of the A38 - roughly three kilometres from Droitwich Spa -  and is on either side of an overhead electricity line.

The clean, renewable energy will be supplied to domestic and commercial consumers and will produce enough energy to meet around 1,300 homes each year and secure a reduction of approximately 700 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.

A statement included with the application said: The Proposed Development would be located on agricultural land and introduce renewable energy infrastructure into the landscape.

"The proposals aim to be integrated into its surroundings and to be consistent with the form, scale, and pattern of the existing agricultural landscape. 

"Opportunities to enhance the local distinctiveness, character and biodiversity of the area have been introduced as part of the proposed mitigation measures.

"These will allow for the infill planting of hedgerows with local native species and the implementation and management of existing hedgerows and grassland beneath the panels. 

"At year one, new and infill planting will begin to enhance the tree cover and field pattern, having more of a beneficial impact at year 15 once it has begun to mature and management of existing hedgerows has allowed for a higher level of growth, improving the hedgerow resource, and enhancing the character of the local area."

The applicant, Ecotricity Generation Limited, requested a screening opinion from Wychavon District Council last year, which meant a brief plan was assessed before the full planning application was submitted this year. 

The screening option allowed Ecotricity Generation Limited to determine whether it needs an environmental impact assessment before submitting its planning application.