AMBITIOUS plans to create an 'energy orchard' of solar panels next to the Vantage Point business park in Mitcheldean – effectively making the site totally powered by renewable energy – have been unveiled.

Bee Green Solar, who have a base within the business park, held a consultation meeting last week to meet with local residents and to explain the details of their plans to install the solar panels on a slope beside Breakheart Hill.

The installation would involve placing around 14,000 solar panels onto the slope, with the power being fed directly into the business park. Any surplus energy would be fed on into the National Grid.

In a statement, the company said: "Vantage Point Business Village wants to stand out from other business parks with its plans for generating all the site energy requirements by solar power.

They added: "Vantage Point needs to react to increasing electricity costs and growing uncertainty over electricity supplies with plans to be totally self sufficient by generating all its energy demands by green clean solar power."

They have also said that if their plans are given the go ahead by the planning department of the District Council, the 70 acre business park would become one of the largest in the UK to be completely powered by renewable energy.

The company say that their plans for the former home of Rank Xerox, which contains over a million square feet of industrial, storage, warehousing and office space, could also contribute to the long-term viability of Vantage Point, as they could create new employment opportunities by attracting new businesses and industries to the area.

The consultation, with a display of maps and diagrams explaining Bee Green Solar's plans, was held in the conference area of the business park and was attended by around 40 people.

But whilst some had attended out of interest in such a large scale green energy initiative, others were more concerned about the visual impact that such a massive array of solar panels would create – and also the potential glare that they could generate.

However, the company have countered this, and Henri Geelhoed, Sales Development Manager at Bee Green Solar told the Review: "The solar panels will actually absorb the light that reaches them. But in any case, the panels will be facing south, away from Mitcheldean village itself."

Speaking about wider plans to involve the local community he added "As part of the plans Vantage Point is looking for local community schemes in Mitcheldean we can support which would benefit from green and free electricity."

Local groups or interested members of the community can contact Bee Green Solar on 01594 541222.