CUMBRIA is currently in the throes of what could turn out to be a solar farm boom.

Eden District Council alone has received nine applications in the last month while green energy companies have set their sights on fields further south.

One of the main reasons for the recent surge is believed to be the government's plans to cut subsidies for farms up to 5 megawatts in capacity - typically spanning 25-30 hectares - which are expected to end next year.

In order to reap the financial benefits, companies are making their move now - but not without opposition.

While there have been nine applications for Eden, not all of them have been 'validated' by planners.

This is because even though developers have submitted their proposals, the authority will class it as 'invalid' if it is missing some information.

In Eden applicants have lodged proposals for sites at Tebay and the parishes of Great Strickland, Morland and Newby.

The Moor House Farm development between the north and south carriageways of the M6 at Tebay has met fierce opposition from councillors and residents alike.

While many say they are not 'in principle' against renewable energy, they fear a 25-acre solar plant will 'industrialise' the landscape.

At a consultation meeting in Orton Village Hall held by German-based Energy for the World GmbH, residents from the surrounding areas expressed their concerns for the future of the area.

Adrian Todd, chairman of Tebay Parish Council, said: “In my opinion it is not in a suitable place and could be detrimental to the area. It will be seen if you’re walking in the Howgills – you’ll see it as a plain as day."

As well as concerns around efficiency in the county, which has a record for little sunshine, he said the kick back to the community of a proposed £1,000 per megawatt per year for the 25-year life span could be worth much less in 10 years, or even 20 years time.

"It concerns me that there’s a big rush because all the grants are coming to an end," he said. He believes companies have their eye on Eden because of the proximity to the M6 corridor which could already be seen as industrial land.

Mark Renwick-Smith, of Orton, labelled the scheme as 'appalling', adding: "In one of the most beautiful parts of the world it would be an eyesore."

Meanwhile, South Lakeland District Council has received an application from Spanish-owned Omicron Solar Ltd for a 20,000-panel solar farm on land at Lane Head, Beck Side, north of the Cartmel.

Another application has been lodged with SLDC for a solar farm at Old Hutton which is currently classed as invalid, while a farm is proposed at Saddler Nook Lane, Whittington - which falls under Lancaster City Council.

Elsewhere there has been wider consultation with parishes and residents surrounding a proposed solar farm at Hophouse Lane, near Kirkby Lonsdale.

SLDC's core strategy, which is in line with national guidelines, states it will support, in principle, an increase in production from a range of renewable sources but this has to be balanced against other factors such as landscape and ecological harm. It has so far not approved any solar farm applications.

And a spokesperson for EDC said solar farms were subject to an extended process as they considered to be major applications. As a result they are considered over a period of 13 weeks rather than the usual eight weeks.

In Low Bentham, the town council's view on a solar farm rejected by Craven District Council planners remains unchanged.

After a resubmission, the council has recommended the proposal for refusal despite the planned energy site having almost halved.

Clerk Jo Burton said in the meantime the Spanish company Tau Solar Ltd has appealed the original decision.

And Lightsource Renewable Energy, Europe’s leading solar energy provider, has unveiled proposals to install a solar farm at Heathlands Farm, close to Rockcliffe, near Carlisle.

A spokesperson for Friends of the Lake District, which is dedicated to protecting the landscape and natural environment of Cumbria and the Lake District, said: "We support the use of a range of renewable energy technologies unless proposals have a detrimental impact on the landscape.

"We consider each proposal on its own merits but also take into account the potential cumulative impact of multiple proposals.

"Therefore, it is not a case of solar farms being a ‘good or bad’ development as each site has its own issues and considerations.

"As with all development in Cumbria visual impact is an important consideration and should be given due weight in the decision making process."

Alasdair Cameron, renewable energy campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said while solar was 'not for everyone', there needs to be an understanding that all sources of energy have consequences.

"Solar provides cheap, low cost renewable energy," he added. "All energy sources have a down side and we wouldn't want solar farms in areas of high bio diversity or in certain places for wildlife reasons.

"We believe it should involve the community wherever possible and solar can also create benefits if done properly.

"If it's not solar we're using it will be coal, gas, fracking or nuclear."

He added government changes could be blamed for the surge in applications, and condemned its 'irrational energy policy'.