Villagers fear large HGVs will bring narrow rural roads to a standstill during possible construction of a solar farm.

BE Renewables wants to create a solar farm the size of 47 football pitches on agricultural land, in Brook Hall Road, Fingringhoe.

Colchester Council’s planning committee has delayed making a decision on the application, which has received 220 objection letters from residents.

Objectors believe the solar farm, which borders a public bridleway, will blight the village landscape. Residents are also worried about the traffic impact during the expected four-month construction period, if the project is approved.

At a planning meeting, objector Terry Canham said: “This site is simply in the wrong place.

“Our roads are not suitable for 300-plus construction HGVs.”

Kevin Bentley, county councillor for Stanway and Pyefleet, said: “This is a beautiful village and the whole application is out of scale.

“It would completely change Fingringhoe’s character.”

About 50 Fingringhoe residents were in attendance, with committee chairman Theresa Higgins forced to stop the meeting on several occasions to prevent interruptions from the public gallery.

Committee members wanted to know if it was possible for material to be transported to the site by barge, instead of by road, to prevent traffic problems.

A decision on the application was deferred and will return to the committee at a later date.