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Plans for a solar farm the size of around 35 football pitches near Peterlee are set to go before Durham County Council’s planning committee this week.
Councillors are being asked to give the green light to ABEI Energy’s plans for a solar farm and battery storage facility on land north of Hackworth Road, next to the North West Industrial Estate, after officers recommended the scheme for approval.
The proposed development would cover 25.6 hectares of farmland and include solar panels, battery storage containers and associated infrastructure.
It would operate for up to 40 years and generate enough electricity to power around 5,000 homes each year.
The application has attracted opposition from nearby residents and campaign groups.
(Image: ABEI Energy)
Concerns have been raised about the loss of farmland, the impact on the countryside, possible glare from the panels and safety worries linked to the battery storage system.
Natalie Wilson, who lives near the proposed site, said: “It will be extremely visually intrusive to ourselves, who have farmed this area for four generations now.
“Its presence will be literally outside of our windows and over the hedge to our adjoining land.
"The impact it will have, visually, on the open countryside of this area is enormous.”
Planning officers acknowledge the development would have a negative effect on the landscape and on people using nearby public footpaths.
They also say some neighbouring properties could experience limited glare at certain times of the day, although not at a level considered a statutory nuisance.
The report says the project would temporarily take 22.5 hectares of good-quality agricultural land out of production, although the land could still be used for sheep grazing and would be returned to farming when the solar farm is removed.
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However, officers say the benefits outweigh the harm.
The report highlights the renewable energy the site would generate, the role of the battery storage system in supporting the electricity network, temporary construction jobs and biodiversity improvements.
The application will be decided by the county planning committee on Wednesday, October 7.