A PUBLIC consultation meeting on the proposed Tump Farm solar farm saw a large number of interested parties attend.

The meeting at Tiddenham War Memorial Hall, held last Tuesday evening (6th January), allowed residents to view a presentation and meet representatives from the company behind the proposal, Green Energy UK Direct.

Directors and staff from the alternative energy firm talked through plans and answered any questions raised.

With a largely positive response from the those who attended, there was a beneficial outcome for local firm Gwent Energy, as an agreement was made to fit solar panels to properties in the area for Green Energy UK Direct.

Project organiser for Gwent Energy, Phil Powell, went along to the meeting to find out about the plans and came away with the panel fitting agreement.

Gwent Energy has already fitted around 200 solar systems in Monmouthshire as a community interest company.

Phil said: "We are fully behind projects like this at Tump and the solar deal on offer to residents is extremely good. They are offering the panels at cost price.

"We already have 17 systems running for community benefit in Monmouthshire."

The Tump solar park plan is on land over-looking the River Severn, owned by farmer David Guest, who said: "Lots of farmers are having to diversify these days and a solar park could help guarantee the future of our farm into the next generation after my sons retire.

"We are delighted the public consultation went so well and welcome the tremendous support the project has been given."

The proposal could help power more than 1,250 homes and help reduce the nation's carbon footprint by 2,150 tons of CO2 a year.

Arthur Bell, one of the directors at Green Energy UK Direct said: "We are delighted to have been given the opportunity to help Tump Farm continue making a contribution to the local community and have been overwhelmed by the support.

"Having so many people pop in and give us their backing has been brilliant. Linking up with Gwent Energy to do the fitting of panels after the council grant planning approval is another opportunity for us to put something back into the local community."

Local resident David Neal, who attended as acting head of governors at Offas Mead Primary School, said: "It is great. I am all for it. It is a no brainer for us.

"The school is going to benefit, so what is there not to like. I am personally interested in solar energy."

The Tump solar park scheme also has support from a series of local community groups and several attended the public consultation.

Among them was Chepstow Bridge Club representative Peter Smith, a retired local government housing manager from Tutshill, who was very interested in the residential solar panel scheme and Chepstow and District Gardening Club secretary Caroline Duchet.

Caroline, who is also the gardening club's schools co-ordinator, said: "Working with the schools, I do hope this goes ahead as we need to be thinking about our energy resources."

She went on to say from a personal point of view: "I'm very much in favour of alternative energy sources. For me the solar farm is least likely to offend the landscape and, for many people, they are less threatening than wind turbines for example. They have less of an impact on the environment.

"I've been a big fan of solar farms for quite a long time and would like to see more.

Those behind Tump Hill Solar Farm will apply for planning permission towards the end of the month with the expectation that it will come before the council's planning committee in the Spring.