SOLAR panels could be installed in the grounds of a Georgian farmhouse near Droitwich.

Plans have been put forward to put 40 panels on land belonging to Middleton Grange, off Ladywood Road in Salwarpe.

The owners of the house said they have restored it and while wanting to future-proof the property, do not want to spoil the charm of the house, which dates back to 1784.

“When we bought the property in 2016 the property was in a poor state of repair and needed some updating to secure its future,” they said in a planning statement.

“Whilst it is not a listed property, we have been very sympathetic in keeping as many original features as possible.

“This included many wooden beams, inglenook fireplaces and even an old well which is situated within the house itself.

“It was the thought of keeping the property as visually as possible to the original look of the house that we have decided to locate the solar panels in one of the paddocks within the grounds of the property.

“We did not wish to have a visual impact of the property with 40 panels on the roof which would take away the charm and the beauty of this property.”

They say the plan is to locate the panels in an “adjacent paddock” that is shielded from neighbours and would mean they could not be seen from the road.

“With this in mind we hope that planning will accept our proposal to make the property more self-sufficient and help to future proof it for the next 240 years.”

Solar panels are being installed on a number of homes and public buildings around Worcestershire.

Perdiswell Leisure Centre in Worcester and Malvern Splash in Great Malvern are both set to benefit from reduced heating bills when solar panels are installed on their roofs.

And Spire Southbank Hospital in Worcester has also been given permission to put an array of 239 panels on its roof.