THE developer hoping to site 21,000 solar panels on a 30-acre field in Bentley has this week defended its plans.

The application is for a photovoltaic solar park on Cheeks Farm Lane which will produce 4.5 gigawatts per year to be fed into the national grid but, because of its scale and location, it has received criticism.

Although Bentley Parish Council raised no formal objections it did note that there needs to be a "balance between the provision of 'green energy' and the preservation of the green countryside" and put forward a list of conditions they think should be implemented before permission is granted.

For full story, see this week's Alton Herald.