Residents of North Clifton say village life will be spoilt if One Earth Solar Farm, across 3,954 acres near Dunham-on-Trent on the Lincolnshire-Nottinghamshire border, goes ahead

Village life will be spoilt by a major solar farm if it goes ahead, residents claim.

The One Earth Solar Farm would cover 3,954 acres near Dunham-on-Trent, across the Lincolnshire-Nottinghamshire border.

Plans show a three-mile-long stretch of land on both sides of the River Trent, which would be covered with panels or battery storage containers.

The village of North Clifton would have solar farms to the north, east and south, with some of the local farms being completely surrounded.

Ørsted and PS Renewables, the companies behind it, say the panels would provide 740MW of renewable energy – enough to power more than 200,000 homes.

Residents are preparing to put their case across as the government’s planning inspectors hold public hearings from July 8 to 10.

David White, who is leading an action group against the plans, said: “A lot of people will be really badly affected with panels around their homes on all sides.

“Residents are struggling to come to terms with how life will change. People buy homes here to enjoy the views – to take their children, grandchildren or dogs on walks.

“Instead of views, we will have industrial fencing and CCTV.

“We surveyed every single person in the affected villages, and 99 per cent said they were against it.

“We’re not against renewable energy – but not on this scale.”

He said the group had visited existing solar farms and had been “shocked” at the noise made by machinery called inverters, which are needed to convert the electricity produced.

Chris Firth, who has solar panels on his North Clifton home, said: “I hate the plans. It will decimate the village.

“I used to live near Heathrow Airport, and moved to the countryside for the views. Now we’re already thinking of leaving if this goes ahead, and we aren’t the only ones.”

The large solar farm would cross the borders of West Lindsey, Bassetlaw and Newark & Sherwood districts.

Michael Foster said “not a single person in the village is for it” – but some said they are still on the fence.

John Mathieu said: “I’m still learning about the plan – I don’t mind if it’s a few fields on the outskirts, but if it takes over the landscape then that’s too much.”

Graeme Barr said: “I’m new to the area – when I came to buy the house I saw a sign protesting the solar farm. Most people are against it, but it’s not the worst use of farmland.

“With most solar farms I see, the panels are well hidden behind hedges. I get if anyone who’s lived here for a long time will miss the views though.”

A spokesperson for the One Earth solar farm said: “Throughout the project’s development, we have sought to balance the need to maximise production of renewable energy, while also ensuring that the project is developed in a manner that is sensitive both to the local environment and community.

“Over the past two years, we have consulted with local communities as well as technical bodies and local authorities. This had led to significant changes to the project design, removing panels near villages and homes to minimise impacts.”

The companies also say battery farm technology – which solar farm campaigners often claim is a fire hazard – “has developed rapidly” and is much safer now.

It admitted that inverters “do make a small amount of noise” and would place them at least 100 metres away from homes.

Anyone who wants to speak at the three-day public hearings can register through the project’s page on the government website.

The Planning Inspectorate will make a recommendation to Ed Miliband, the secretary of state for energy, with a decision expected early 2026.