Locals have been left fuming after plans were approved for a solar farm to be built on farm land.
Councillors gave the green light for the 76-acre farm near Milverton, Somerset, which would put the farm out of action for 40 years, until at least 2064.
Somerset Council's planning committee argued the solar farm was needed in light of rising demands for electricity, with the farm powering up to 7,000 homes.
Sheep will be allowed to graze during the site's operation over the course of four decades, before it's eventually returned to agricultural use.
The farm land will be out of action until at least 2064
Somerset Council/Novus Renewable Services Ltd/Quelle
Novus Renewable Services Ltd will build the solar installation to the north of existing buildings at Preston Farm in Preston Bowye, with construction expected to begin later this year.
A number of local residents however voiced their disagreement with the plans, arguing that the UK's food security was "critical" and that there were more appropriate sites available.
Philip Knowles, who lives near the existing farm, said: "Senior political figurers are concerned that we are installing these facilities at the expense of good agricultural land.
"We currently have a climate emergency - how much longer before we have a food emergency as well?"
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The new solar farm will power 7,000 houses
Somerset Council
Councillors however disagreed, voting to approve the plans by eight votes to none, with three abstentions.
Dr Ian Gauntlett exclaimed that the need for energy for security should be the primary concern over food.
He said: "We're facing a massive climate crisis. Urgent expansion of renewable energy sources is absolutely essential."
"With regards to agriculture, looking across the nation, ground-mounted solar panels take up just 0.5 per cent of usable farmland - four times as much is used for golf courses."
Fellow councillor Mike Rigby echoed this sentiment on the importance of "new energy generation".
He said: "I think we need a really good reason to refuse new energy generation in our area.
"I've had several solar arrays built in my division, and the effects have been fairly negligible compared to 173 new houses being built on the edge of my village [Bishop's Lydeard].
"I think this strikes the right balance."
