‘Well-connected people trying to stop solar park being built’

Mrs Bennett highlighted that only half of the 2,000 acres (878 hectares) proposed for development would have solar panels or related buildings on.

The developers, Island Green Power, have allocated 47% of the land for environmental purposes.

Mrs Bennett said that solar fields have always worked alongside nature.

She said: “You can have sheep on there, you can have wildlife on there, they put in beehives and ponds and all sorts.”

The company’s first public consultation ran into serious opposition. Their own report found that 88% of local people were opposed to their plans.

Now the developers, Island Green Power, said they have listened and learned.

Will Threllfall, senior project development manager, said he was ‘really grateful’ to everyone who responded.