Dozens of local people attended a public exhibition held to outline proposals for a solar farm near Rhoscrowther on Wednesday, with some opinions split on the issue.

The event was held at Hundleton sports pavilion by Bristol-based Elgin Energy to highlight its plans to construct a solar array at Little Neath with as many as 40,000 panels over about 40 acres of land at Wogaston Farm.

Although no plans have been finalised, company director Colm Murphy explained that this site had been chosen as it was very well screened and had good access to the national grid.

He said the company was looking to produce as much as ten megawatts of energy from the project, depending on the discussions during planning process.

Attendees were asked to fill in a questionnaire to help inform the company of local opinion and Mr Murphy said the company would take all the feedback received on board before submitting an application to Pembrokeshire County Council within the next month.

Dave Ramsey, of Milford Haven, said: “The important thing is it’s not going to benefit the local community, it’s not going to provide jobs, but I like the idea. There could be a wildlife benefit associated with it rather than a monoculture”.

Angle Community Councillor Michael Bullock said he did not have any problem with the proposal in principle, but outlined that another company had held a similar event for a solar park nearby.

He said: “They’re not like wind turbines around here, they would be sitting in the folds of the earth. You can’t get away from the backdrop of the refinery anyway”.

Cllr Bullock also questioned how many more solar farm plans could be “waiting in the wings” if this scheme went ahead, and said the plans could not be viewed in isolation.