A community-owned solar farm is set to be approved by councillors despite objections from six nearby households.

The scheme is for a parcel of land at Coach Road Meadow in Coach Road, Church.

Hyndburn Council planning committee has been recommended to approve the scheme - promoted by Prospects Community Energy Ltd - with 19 conditions when in meets on Wednesday.

This despite public objections including the impact on wildlife, traffic, lack of public consultation, an increased risked of crime, glare, and that the solar panels are too close to residential properties.

An officer's report says: "Permission is sought for a community-owned solar generating facility with a capacity of up to two megawatts including solar panels, security fencing, CCTV, underground cabling, environmental enhancement and ancillary development.

"The site is owned by the Prospects Foundation, a registered charity.

"Coach Road Meadow extends to around 2.31 hectares and the proposed development would comprise approximately two-thirds of the land.

"Outline planning consent has previously been granted at the site for a mixed-use development comprising industrial buildings, timber yard, offices, four eco-houses, biomass heating plant, four wind turbines and open space.

"This development was not implemented and planning permission has now lapsed.

There would be a requirement to install underground cabling to connect the solar array to the substation on Blackburn Road and a further connection to the William Blythe Ltd chemical plant to the north side of the Leeds and Liverpool canal.

"The proposal would provide renewable energy directly to a local manufacturing company as well feeding into the wider distribution network.

"The project is anticipated to have a 40-year lifetime.

"Planning policy strongly supports renewable energy schemes.

"The proposal would not result in undue harm to the visual amenity of the area nor the character of the landscape.

"There would be no harm to the amenity of nearby residents, no impact on the safe operation of the adjacent train line nor any undue impact on highway safety.

"The development would also result in a net gain in biodiversity meaning that the habitats for wildlife would be left in a measurably better state than they were before."