Criticism over planned solar panels on greenfield site

He said there should be an emphasis on “preserving natural field which provides habitat for insects, bugs, moths and caterpillars that need to incubate underground there.”

“The greenfield sites that Guernsey is losing, they’re not going to make more of them,” he added.

However, applicant Mr L Shephard told the BBC he disputed the area was a greenfield site.

He said, due to the former presence of greenhouses on the land, which then were destroyed and buried under a layer of top soil, it was reverted to agricultural designation.

He said the site was also now not suitable for agriculture due to the presence of buried structures, and that the solar equipment would power his house and up to seven other properties.

However, Simon De La Rue, commercial director for renewable energy company Little Green Energy, said there were “many obstacles” to putting panels on houses.

Having had “a brief look at the roof space” on the applicant’s house, he said things such as dormer windows could reduce roof space, meaning “less panels” could be installed.