Proposals to build a 242-acre solar farm in Guilden Morden has added fuel to continuing concerns that the growing number of similar developments are causing a blot on the Cambridgeshire landscape.

Plans for a solar farm at Rectory Farm are now in the process of being screened by environmental bodies before a formal planning application can be put forward for consultation by developer LDA Design.

The firm is seeking planning permission for a 25-year period, after which the site would be returned to its former state.

A security fence made of deer stocked fencing would be placed around the perimeter of the site, more in keeping with the rural landscape than traditional weld mesh fencing often used in solar farm developments.

Solar farm sceptic Clive Porter, who lives in Melbourn, said plans for the development in Guilden Morden only serve to add to his concerns about the rise in solar farms in the area.

He plans to start a petition against what he sees as the continuing ‘intrusion’ of solar farms on the landscape.

Clive said: “It is high time that we started to take seriously our valuable agriculture assets in England, before we find ourselves in dire straits with our food supply.

“Tinkering around with wind and solar power which will never ever produce anything like the amount of energy to keep the lights burning is suicidal for Britain.

“We desperately need a strategic national energy policy, which incorporates a nuclear backbone.”

At the end of last month, two solar farms at Black Peak Farm in Flint Cross and Munceys Farm in Melbourn were added to the list of newly opened sites in the area.

The two farms are capable of generating enough energy to power more than 14,000 homes and together will feature 36 bird boxes, 15 bat roosting boxes and two barn owl boxes.

Meanwhile in Litlington, plans have been put forward for a bio-fuelled power generation plant and barn restoration at Highfield Farm in Royston Road.

Developer REG Bio-Power aims to install about eight engines to generate power for up to three hours a day, six days a week at the site which covers just over one acre.

No staff would be required to work on site to operate the plant.

It would be run entirely remotely, responding from signals sent from the National Grid for start up and shut down.