A planning application to build the district’s first solar farm, in Yapton, was given the go-ahead last Wednesday by the development control committee. This decision was made in spite of parish councillors from Yapton objecting to the plans on several grounds, including a lack of infrastructure and because of the loss of agricultural land it would entail. Councillors agreed the proposal by BL Solar could be built on land south-west of Drove Lane Farm. The rows of solar panels will provide 14.5 megawatts of electricity, which the company says would enable it to supply some 30,000 homes with power. For the full story, read the Littlehampton Gazette on Thursday, February 20.