An application to cover three fields in Flowton, near Hadleigh, with solar panels will be voted on by Babergh councillors next week.

Councillors will weigh the reduction of carbon emissions against the loss of agricultural land at a Babergh planning meeting on Wednesday.

The planning statement on behalf of applicant Bramford Green Limited explains: "There is an urgent requirement for the proposed development.

"It would supply clean renewable electricity for distribution to the National Grid.

"It has been designed to a high standard and has sensitively responded to the local landscape, cultural heritage assets and the local community where possible."

The fields proposed for the solar panels are adjacent to Flowton Brook watercourse in the parish of Flowton and would cover 35 hectares in total.

Approximately 76 percent of the land is in Babergh and the rest is in Mid Suffolk, so Mid Suffolk District Council will also need to approve the application before plans can progress.

The applicant is requesting temporary permission for a 40-year period, after which they plan to restore the site to agricultural land.

Every parish and town council representing nearby areas has objected to the proposals and the vast majority mention the loss of agricultural land as a reason.

A representative from Burstall Parish Council commented last September: "It is simply inappropriate to use high-quality agricultural land for a solar farm in the rolling Suffolk countryside.

"This will fundamentally change its character, with multiple costs to residents and the environment.

"The unprecedented level of public opposition in Burstall has not changed. Burstall residents have chosen to live in the Suffolk countryside and see no benefit, only harm, in turning our neighbourhood into an industrial park."

Approximately 75 percent of the site is designated as 'best and most versatile' (BMV) type land.

Out of the 189 letters, emails and online comments on the application, 186 are objections.

The officers' report concludes: "The development would contribute to the government's objective for a transition to a low-carbon economy and increased renewable energy generation as part of its net zero agenda.

"Officers consider that limited harm would be caused due to the temporary loss of BMV agricultural land but this impact is not considered to warrant refusal."

The plans include solar panels fixed to mounting structures with electrical output capacity of 30 megawatts; a battery storage facility; a substation; six inverter, transformer and switchgear stations; a control room building and underground cables.

The solar panels would be arranged in rows and angled so they measure less than one metre from the ground at their lowest point and three metres from the ground at their highest point.

The plans include two-metre steel mesh fencing with timber posts around the site.