Nearly 200 solar panels will be installed in the gardens of a prestigious house on the Shotley peninsula, if planning permission is granted.

Andrew Whittle, the owner of Freston House has applied to install 192 ground mounted solar panels for domestic use on 24 frames each holding eight panels

In his application Mr Whittle claims the 77,000 kWh produces will provide the house, set in 20 acres of land, enough electricity to power half its energy needs.

A Babergh planning officer has already provided pre-application advice and has told Mr Whittle permission is likely to be acceptable for the solar panels subject to the site being well screened from public viewpoints.

The panels, which will be no higher than two metres, will be placed in grassed area around 250m away from the main house and 125m from Freston Lodge and a nearby bungalow.

There are plans to add and additional yew hedge, which will add to the screening of the solar panels already provided provided and ensure they will be shielded from the road by a wooded area..

It is also proposed to plant a hedge of mixed holly and hawthorn as part of the landscaping.

Mr Whittle has said there will only be one large delivery of the metal poles and a very small number of deliveries of the panels and other materials with a maximum of four to six people working onsite at any time during the solar panels' construction.

More details and the opportunity to comment can be found on the Babergh panning website here- using reference: DC/22/01316