PLANS for a 33,000-panel solar park, the size of about 10 football pitches, look set to be thrown out by Allerdale council next week.

New NRG 02 Ltd wants to install the panels on farmland half a mile west of Westnewton, near Aspatria.

The 25-year development would cover a 13.65-hectare site.

The firm says the 5MW park would provide power for more than 1,000 homes.

A sub-station, security fencing and CCTV cameras would also be installed.

The parish councils at Westnewton, Bothel and Threapland, and Allhallows have objected to the plans, as has Westnewton Action Group and Friends of Rural Cumbria’s Environment. 

Rory Stewart MP, whose Penrith and the Border constituency sits alongside the Workington constituency, has also objected.

There have been 27 other letters against the plan. The Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty said the development may change the character of the landscape.

Five letters of support for the scheme have been sent to the council.

Planning officers believe the likely visual impact of the plan has been under-assessed by the developer. They say it would have significant adverse effects on the surrounding area. 

In a report to the council’s development panel, planning officers said the company had not provided clear justification for the loss of good quality, versatile agricultural land.

The report said the proposed solar park would be an industrial-scale development in an attractive rural landscape.

Officers have recommended that the plans be refused by the development panel when it meets at Allerdale House in Workington on Tuesday at 1pm.