Plans to build a solar farm the size of 50 football pitches along the A46 near Sherbourne have been revealed.

If approved, the scheme would see four fields on the west side of the road just before the Longbridge roundabout dedicated to generating electricity.

And according to the application submitted by Neo Environmental Ltd, the 33.6 hectare green belt site will have nearly 50,000 modules built on it.

Battery storage units, nearly 3km of internal roads, security fencing and 41 CCTV cameras will also be put in place.

The application also states that after 40 years the 25MW farm will be removed and the site returned to farmland.

And in the meantime wild meadows will be made and tree planting carried out across site to "result in a net-gain for biodiversity by providing habitat and food resources to the local wildlife".

The solar panels will be installed across four different fields (Image via planning application)

Neo Environmental said it would take six months to build the farm, with two temporary compounds built during that time.

The planning application said: "There is a clear need to ensure long-term security of supply as non-renewable sources diminish, through the development of a diverse energy generation systems such as solar farms and battery storage to support international and nationally binding climate change targets."

Adding: "A development of this size is capable of generating enough renewable energy for the equivalent of circa 7,558 homes and would displace c. 26,773 tonnes of CO2 per annum, contributing to the UK's target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050."

The Warrington-based company also said it had engaged with local people, holding an exhibition of the plans last year.

Plans to build a 113 hectare solar farm in Honiley are also currently being considered by Warwick District Council.

(Header image by Aiseinau via wikimedia.commons)