Plans approved for 50,000 panel solar park in St Osyth
Fifty thousand solar panels are to be built on farmland in north Essex.
The plans for the solar park in St Osyth near Colchester have been approved by Tendring District Council.
However, the plans will see the panels dismantled after 26 years and the site off Frowick Lane returned to agricultural use.
Parish councils in St Osyth and Great Bentley did not object to the plans, but Weeley Parish Council said the aesthetics would affect local people.
Four residents lodged objections to the plans.
Tendring District Council said 21 conditions have been put in place for development of the land, including "substantial landscaping using native species".
Carlo Guglielmi, cabinet member for planning, said it would "pave the way for other similar applications".
"Many other countries in Europe have these solar panel parks and in this case our consultation was thorough."
The council said the solar park would create enough energy for 4,000 homes.