A PUBLIC meeting is being held in Williton next week for residents to air views after Elgin Energy appealed against planning refusal for a massive solar farm at Washford.

The company wants to place 100 acres of solar panels north of Tropiquaria zoo on land owned by the Wyndham Estate.

Elgin’s application was backed by Somerset Council panning officer James Holbrook, who said a 40-year permission would still be a ‘temporary’ approval.

But councillors objected and unanimously voted for refusal because of the impact on protected landscapes and loss of high-quality agricultural land.

Now, parish councillors are hosting a public meeting in Williton Pavilion at 2pm on Saturday, April 27, to hear people’s views before submitting any further comments to the appeal hearing.

A council spokesperson said: “Everybody is welcome to attend the meeting.”

However, they warned only new comments could be submitted, as previous submissions would automatically be part of the appeal.

Anybody who wants to provide new information to the Planning Inspectorate has to do so by May 2.

Williton Parish Council is also holding its annual parish assembly next week for any parishioner to attend and have their say on local issues.

The meeting will be in the Williton Pavilion at 7 pm on Tuesday, April 23, and refreshments will be provided.

It will be chaired by parish council chairman Cllr Peter Payne and include presentations by the West Somerset Community Land Trust and the Community Council for Somerset, which is helping with a community review.