CONTROVERSIAL plans for a 40-acre solar farm - the first of its type in Ceredigion - look set to get the go-ahead at a meeting of the county's planning committee tomorrow (Wednesday).

Officers have recommended that the scheme for a 6.86MW solar photovoltaic farm at Llwyn Du, Blaenporth, are deferred with power to approve providing there are no objections from nearby West Wales Airport, the MoD, environmental health and the trunk road agency.

But local residents are opposed to the plans which stretch over nine fields, saying it will be a "monstrous blot on the landscape" and will be attending the meeting at the council's Aberaeron headquarters to state their case.

"We are very angry about it and very much against the plans," said local resident and community councillor June Allen.

The scheme, submitted by landowners Huw and Christine Kurys, has received 172 letters of support including ones from Ceredigion AM Elin Jones and NFU Cymru.

A report to tomorrow's committee states: "Though there are concerns regarding the scale of the development, due to the national Government presumption in favour of renewable energy schemes makes it clear that renewable energy projects should generally be supported by local planning authorities."

And it adds: "While local resident objections are noted and understood, it is considered that in light of the strong emphasis on providing such renewable energy infrastructure, that the degree of visual intrusion would not be so harmful that it unaccecptably impacts upon the living conditions of the occupiers."

Local county councillor GEthin James said he had asked for the scheme to go to committee so that it could be debated in full.