PLANS for a new solar farm on high-risk flood land, which could create enough electricity to power more than 6,000 homes, have been agreed.

One Planet Developments Limited has been given the green light for a new electricity farm on land off Marsh Road, in Burnham-on-Crouch. The application includes using the site as a solar farm for 40 years. 

At Maldon District Council's district planning committee meeting on Thursday (4 September), councillors raised various concerns about the plans.

Cllr Wendy Stamp raised concerns about the impact on traffic locally and asked the developer to be proactive in how it dealt with the issue. She said: "What generally happens is if you've got lorries waiting to come into a construction site, they park on the roads.

"I also ask the applicant to look at any roadworks and road closures. I know there's going to be road closures. So I ask them to keep on top of this application and to respond to any residents, and especially the schools, walkers and people who work here."

She also said residents raised concerns about possible damage to existing property and the road. 

The council's planning officer said: "The principle of the development is considered acceptable. There is some limited harm in terms of character and appearance of the site in terms of landscape impact because that's obviously a change to what's there at the present.

"No harm is considered to the nearby residential properties that are a sufficient distance from the site. The benefits of the scheme are considered against the harm and the benefits clearly outweigh the harm in this instance." 

A spokesman for the developer told the meeting that after changes to the plans, there were no remaining criticisms from consultees, residents and the parish council, which he called a "rare" situation.

He added: "Members have the opportunity to support a proposal that will provide tangible benefits to the district and help the council to deliver on commitments. The development will make the district a greener and more environmentally friendly place to live and work.

"The solar farm will produce significant amounts of renewable electricity and the batteries will strengthen the local electricity grid, making it more robust, resilient and better equipped to utilise electricity produced by renewable means."