RESIDENTS in the Bulphan are being encouraged to make their views known about how the local community might benefit from a huge news solar farm, which will be adjacent to the village. 

Work on clearing the site has now begun and it is expected the solar farm will be operational by March next year. 

The building of the site, which has been in the offing for a couple of years since an application for planning permission was submitted and ultimately granted, has been taken over by ib Vogt. The farm was originally going to be built by ENSO. 

A website created by ib Vogt gives details of the construction schedule. Residents can also sign up for construction progress reports.  

The company also wants to learn from the local community what community benefits it can bring to the area. 

Janet McCheyne, chair of Bulphan Village Community Forum says: "They are asking for specific projects they can fund - but I am wondering if we might be better off asking for annual payment (index linked) for the life of the solar farm, and administer what it goes to fund locally.   

"We would probably have to push to get this." 

Anyone with ideas can contact Janet and the forum by this email link.  

The forum will meet next week (Wednesday, 22 February) when the solar farm will be one of a number of items on the agenda.