THE fate of a huge solar farm near Romsey will be decided at a public inquiry this week.

Developers want to create the complex on countryside in the Broadlands estate which will generate renewable energy to power thousands of homes.

As previously reported Test Valley Borough Council’s planning control committee dramatically rejected the 86-acre facility ruling it will have an “unacceptable impact” on the countryside and questioned the benefits of building on an area of “versatile” farmland.

This was after the southern area planning committee went against officer recommendations and voted to accept it.

Residents brand it an “eyesore”, but the developers and estate owners a say it is the best environmental use of the land.

Now each side will fight their corner at a public inquiry in Romsey on Wednesday after the company behind Grove Solar Farm appealed against the council’s decision.

Energy firm Solarcentury wants to build 57,000 panels on land off the A3057 Lee Lane providing enough energy to power more than 4,400 homes.

It is the second controversial plan for the estate – which is owned by Lord and Lady Brabourne and was the former home of Lord Mountbatten – after residents fought plans for a Tesco store which were later scrapped.

Michael Walton who lives in Toothill Road said the panels will create an “environmental eyesore” while works vehicle movements at the site and operations there will generate noise and air pollution.

Councillor Mark Cooper, for Romsey and Tadburn, is in favour of green energy providing it is in the right place, but added: “This location has a significant proportion of high grade farmland.”

Broadlands Estate manager Richard Jordan-Baker denied the land is high grade and stressed it would be reverted back for agricultural use after 25 years.

He said the farm represented a “diversification” of the site - generating income in an environmentally friendly way.

A spokeswoman for Solarcentury said native seed will be sown at the site to protect the environment and added: “In addition to providing clean solar energy, our aim is to create diverse and attractive habitats at their sites that are a haven for a wide range of fauna and flora.”

The pubic inquiry takes place in Romsey Town Hall from 10am and is expected to last two days.