DEVELOPERS behind a controversial scheme for a solar farm almost the size of Washford have scaled down their plans in a bid to win approval. TGC Renewables Ltd failed to win the go-ahead from West Somerset Council almost a year ago to install just over 35,000 solar panels on a 50-acre site in open countryside at Aller Farm. But although the company is still awaiting the outcome of an appeal against the council's decision, it has now resubmitted plans for the land east of Woodford and north of Monksilver, which is owned by the Wyndham Estate. Its latest proposals would involve less than half the original site, with the reduced 20-acre scheme generating around 4.65 megawatts of renewable energy to provide electricity for 1,280 homes - 1,000 less than previously proposed. In addition, TGC Renewables would offer community benefit payments of £1,000 per megawatt installed - around £4,000 a year - for the next ten years to Sampford Brett Parish Council, within whose boundaries the site lies. In its resubmitted application, the company said it had fully addressed the council's previous concerns and the reasons for refusal - principally the landscape and visual impact and archaeology issues. It said the scaled down development would be better contained by the surrounding landscape and less visible from the surrounding countryside. With the solar farm now located on the lower lying of two fields, it would not be seen from the Exmoor National Park to the west, while the adjacent mature tree belt would substantially contain views to the south and east and long range views from the Quantock Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A geophysical survey had also been commissioned to enable a more detailed consideration of the potential archaeological issues associated with the development of the site and any mitigation measures needed. The proposals would see the installation of around 14,560 panels along with a range of associated buildings, security fencing and CCTV cameras. Over a year, the development would be expected to generate a total of 4.23 gigawatts of electricity to the local, rather than national grid. But TGC Renewables said there would be no loss of agricultural land - classed as 3b and described by the company as "poor quality" - as the landowner would be able to graze sheep beneath it during the expected 25-year life span of the solar farm. The company said it had considered 26 potential sites in the area before choosing Aller Farm, which met all the requirements, ranging from being outside the flood plain to having a viable connection point to the national grid or local electricity distribution network. It said the land, although currently cropped, was said by the landowner not to be high yielding and the solar development would provide an opportunity to diversify the farm business. And it said the scheme would be completely reversible, with the site being restored to its pre-development condition when it stopped operating. Construction would take an estimated three to four months and the company pledged that all vehicles involved with the work would be kept in a compound and not on public roads. TGC Renewables' original plans sparked a raft of objections, with concerns raised by six parish councils, the Exmoor National Park Authority and the Quantock Hills AONB, as well as organisations including the Friends of Quantock, CPRE Somerset and Somerset Gardens Trust. Highways chiefs raised no objection in principle, although they were concerned about increased traffic on the approach roads during the construction. And English Heritage concluded the development would not have any impact on nationally important buildings in the area, including grade 1 listed Nettlecombe Court and Orchard Wyndham and grade 11* Weacombe House. But the company said it believed its latest proposals addressed objectors' previous concerns. It said the development would make a substantial contribution to the generation of renewable energy in the area and provide a clean form of electricity for 1,280 homes.