A GERMAN green energy giant has put in another bid to build a massive solar farm near two Test Valley villages.

Kronos has scaled down its original scheme to install 225,456 panels on grade B agricultural land at Eveley Farm, Houghton – which would have made it the biggest solar site in the UK – which was rejected by Test Valley councillors last August.

Its revised scheme is smaller by 50 acres and has 185,000 panels.

The original 200-acre scheme met with a mixed reaction from Broughton and Houghton residents. There were more objections from Broughton, from where the site, owned by Test Valley Borough Councillor Danny Busk, is more visible.

Some people hated the idea declaring that security fencing around the proposed development would make it look like “a prison camp” while others welcomed the green energy proposals claiming it would benefit the planet.

Kronos says it hopes the latest proposals address concerns about the loss of views across the landscape from a public byway on the northern edge of the site.

Plans for tall screening have been dropped and the new aplication includes hedgerows restricted to 1.5metres in height to maintain views over the distance landscape.

Project manager Makan Yarandi said: “The scheme has been significantly reduced in scale by removing a large section of the north eastern corner of the site which was highlighted as an area of concern by the planning authorities in their decision of the original application.

“We trust that these changes will now address the concerns of both the local residents and planning authority and that everyone will be pleased with the improved scheme.”

He said the revised scheme was likely to generate 48MW of electricity enough to power 12,500 homes.

Mr Yarandi pointed out that the solar park would reduce CO² by 30,700 ton per year and would be a “massive contribution” to creating renewable energy.

“We now look forward to consulting the local parishes to ensure that everyone is fully aware of why we have introduced these improvements and to obtain their valuable feedback,” concluded Mr Yarandi.

Alan Josling from Broughton Against Kronos said: “The size of Eveley Solar Park may have reduced slightly in the new planning application but the arguments against this proposal remain as strong as ever.

“The farm would have an adverse visual impact in the Test Valley, an area of internationally recognised beauty. This adverse impact would be seen from well walked adjacent footpaths, many beauty spots and tourist sites surrounding the solar farm including Danebury hill fort and from Grade 1 listed Marsh Court and the use of very productive farmland to install 150 acres of solar panels.

“So we expect this new application to be refused.”