Residents will get another chance today to find out more about plans for a huge multi-million pound solar farm near Weymouth and give their views.

As reported, Chickerell Solar and Storage is a project by Statera Energy which has organised public events so people can see its plans and provide feedback ahead of it submitting a planning application.

The first public information event was due to be held at Willowbed Hall, Chickerell, last night. An event will also be held today at Portesham Village Hall between 1pm and 7.30pm.

The large-scale photovoltaic solar development, which could generate up to 300MW of renewable electricity, is proposed for arable and pasture fields covering 1,300 acres (including land for landscape and biodiversity) between Buckland Ripers and Friar Waddon.

Meanwhile, a 57-acre battery energy storage system (BESS), with up to 400MW of battery storage capacity, is proposed for a separate site north of the Chickerell sub-station behind the football club.

It is estimated the project will cost between £200m and £300m.

Some locals have already raised concerns about the proposed scheme, claiming it will blight the countryside and use up valuable agricultural land.

West Dorset MP Chris Loder has also weighed in on the debate, suggesting the "mega solar park" was an "appalling use" of greenbelt farmland.

He said: “Businesses such as Leakers Bakery (in Bridport) are closing as a result of not being able to invest in solar panels for their own properties, yet over a thousand acres are now being proposed for solar panels at the expense of our own food security. Priorities need to be addressed."

Responding to concerns, Statera has claimed the scheme being put forward is primarily on poorer quality land.

Spokesperson Rebecca Kaye said: “There are no vegetables grown in these fields and the land is not suitable for high value crops."

She added: “The Government is encouraging solar deployment on poorer land because it helps the country meet its renewables targets without losing any material food production capacity.”

Statera add that, if necessary, the solar panel could be completely dismantled at the end of its operation and the site returned to farmland.

It is expected that a planning application will be submitted next year.

If approved, it is expected the solar park will be 'live' by the end of 2027.