A community-owned solar farm is set to be built by the end of next year.

The scheme, for a parcel of land at Coach Road Meadow in Coach Road, Church, was approved by Hyndburn Council planning committee on Wednesday.

Councillors heard that concerns about the project on 2.31 hectares of land - promoted by Prospects Community Energy Ltd - from nearby residents in Hill Street had been addressed.

The scheme will connect the solar array to a substation in Blackburn Road to supply electricity to the grid, with a further connection to power the William Blythe Ltd chemical plant to the north side of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

Philip Vincent-Barwood, from Prospects Community Energy Ltd, said the charity hoped to complete the project in 2025.

Hyndburn Council Conservative group leader Cllr Zak Khan said: "There is certainly no reason to refuse this application.

"It will put Hyndburn in the forefront of the green revolution and renewable energy generation."

Peel ward's Cllr Clare Pritchard said: "I support this application. It is something we need more of in the borough."

Her Overton ward Labour colleague Cllr Scott Brerton said: "This is a very, very positive development."

Planning officer Adam Birkett told the meeting: "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."

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