CONTROVERSIAL plans for three giant solar energy farms near Bridgwater have been approved by councillors.

Three different energy firms - BNRG Bridgwater, BNRG Puriton, and Wessex Solar Energy - were this week granted permission by Sedgemoor District Council for three huge schemes totalling 120,000 solar panels.

Some 75,000 panels could be built at the largest farm, a 38-acre site south of Westonzoyland Road.

Another 25,000 panels are planned for the former Royal Ordnance Factory site in Puriton, and a further 20,000 could spring up on a 26-acre site near Summerway Drove.

The only snag is the Government's proposal to cut - from August 1 - subsidies for solar parks producing more than 50kw per hour.

David Lane, from Summerway Drove, who is opposed to the solar scheme near his home, said: “The parks are going to have to be finished quickly to meet the August 1 deadline, and they won't be viable unless the Government funds them.

“As I look out of my bedroom window, all I will see is glass panels - but there's nothing we can do about it now and will have to live with it unfortunately.”

However, Bridgwater MP Ian Liddell-Grainger welcomed the council's decision.

He said: “It will help the district hit its renewable energy targets and means we will not require wind turbines.”

A Department of Energy and Climate Change spokesman said it had launched a consultation on its plans to cut solar subsidies, and the results would be announced before August.

ARE you in favour of the green energy schemes springing up around Bridgwater? Have your say using the comment box below.