Plans to build a 45-acre 'solar farm' on farmland near Wentwood have been met with anger by residents.

A proposal to install some 32,000 panels, each more than a metre wide and two metres high, at Buckwell Farm, Pen y Cae Mawr, has been submitted to Monmouthshire County Council.

In a document available through the council's website, developers claim the sloping site is "less suitable for growing agricultural crops than a level field" but ideal for a solar farm.

The proposal says existing overhead powerlines would make connection to the grid straightforwad, and that sheep would still be able to graze on the land after the panels are installed.

It also claims the development would make a "noteworthy contribution" towards the Welsh Government's renewable energy targets.

A number of objections have been made by local residents including Tim Miles, whose farm is directly opposite the site.

"The site is in a special landscape area. Wales is a beautiful country with lots of stunning countryside but only 30 per cent of it is in this category," said Mr Miles.

"Monmouthshire already has two solar parks so already meets its renewable energy target.

"It is a beautiful, rural county but there are plenty of flat, suitable brownfield sites across south Wales – this is the right solution but not the right locality."

Mr Miles said the application site could be eligible for 'Local Wildlife Site' status.

"We are the opposite neighbours and were given a £2,000 grant to preserve wildlife habitat. This site is 45 acres of productive pasture, indicating it should be considered a Local Wildlife Site.

"The argument that sheep will be used as organic lawnmowers is pretty weak.

"The development would have serious harmful effects on the characteristics of the area and there would be no benefit to the rural economy whatsoever.

"There is no employment associated with this proposal. There is no financial benefit to the local community other than the earnings of the landowners.

"I think the environmental solutions are now the environmental problems in Monmouthshire – this would ruin our visual amenity."

Mr Miles is also concerned about a recent study which claims solar panels could be responsible for leaking amounts of cadmium and lead into water courses.

"The site contains within its boundaries the Castrogi brook, which flows after a couple of miles into Wentwood reservoir."

A public meeting called by residents will take place a Earlswood Hall on Monday 16th December from 7pm to 8.30pm.

At the time of going to press, the developers behind the proposal were not available for comment.